Clear answers on appointments, second opinions, and common cancer awareness questions — for general understanding.
You can book a consultation by calling the clinic directly or using the appointment link on the Contact page. Please have your prior reports or scans on hand if this is a follow-up or second-opinion visit.
Bring any previous diagnostic reports, scans, biopsy results, and a list of current medications. If you have had prior consultations elsewhere, a summary or discharge note is helpful.
Yes. Second opinions are a normal and encouraged part of cancer care. Bring your existing pathology and imaging reports so they can be reviewed thoroughly.
Dr. Ammbulkar is a senior consultant medical oncologist specialising in breast and gynecologic cancers, with over two decades of experience in super-specialised cancer care.
The practice is based in Mumbai. Please use the Contact page or call the clinic directly for current consultation hours and directions.
Common early signs include a new lump or thickening, changes in breast size or shape, skin dimpling, or unusual nipple discharge. Not every change indicates cancer, but any new or persistent change is worth having examined promptly.
Screening recommendations vary by individual risk factors and family history, and are often discussed starting around age 40. It's best to discuss a personalised screening plan with your doctor.
Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, largely through HPV vaccination and regular screening, which can catch precancerous changes long before they progress.
A benign lump does not spread to other parts of the body, while a malignant (cancerous) lump can invade nearby tissue and spread. Only proper diagnostic testing, such as imaging and biopsy, can confirm which type a lump is.
A family history can raise your risk, particularly for certain hereditary cancers, but it does not guarantee you will develop cancer. Genetic counselling and testing can help clarify your individual risk.
Chemotherapy is typically given in cycles, either through an IV or as tablets, and regimens are personalised to the patient and cancer type. Common side effects include fatigue, nausea, and temporary hair loss, most of which are actively managed alongside treatment.
It is not mandatory, but it is a reasonable and common step that many patients take. A second opinion can bring clarity and confidence in the treatment plan, without causing meaningful delay.
Cancer is typically staged from I to IV based on tumor size and how far it has spread. Staging helps guide treatment planning, but every case is still assessed individually alongside the stage.
Yes, factors such as avoiding tobacco, maintaining a healthy weight, and regular physical activity are associated with lower risk for several cancers. Lifestyle changes complement, but do not replace, appropriate screening.
Support includes symptom and side-effect management, nutritional guidance, emotional and psychological support, and survivorship follow-up care after treatment ends. Ask your care team what's available at each stage.