Inflammation: The Silent Fire That Drives Chronic Disease, Cancer, and Premature Ageing
Dr. Praveen Ravishankaran
Consultant Robotic Surgical Oncologist (Lap, Robotic and HIPEC Surgeon)
In-Charge, Robotic Surgery Program
GKNM Hospital | Arjun Cancer Centre and Pain Clinic(OPD Services Only)
Founder – Beacon Of Hope Cancer Foundation
Introduction: Why Inflammation Is the True Root of Most Modern Diseases
Inflammation is one of the most important and misunderstood processes in the body. While many people think of inflammation only as pain, swelling, or fever, it is in fact a highly complex biological response designed to protect and heal us. However, when inflammation becomes persistent, it acts as a silent internal fire, fuelling chronic diseases and cancer.
As a Consultant Robotic Surgical Oncologist, I witness the impact of uncontrolled inflammation daily. In the field of clinical oncology, inflammation is now recognised as a central driver of cancer development, progression, and recurrence, not just a side issue.
Understanding inflammation is therefore fundamental for disease prevention, longevity, and effective cancer control.
What Is Inflammation?
Inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury, infection, toxins, or cellular damage. Its key goals are to:
- Identify harmful stimuli
- Eliminate damaged or infected tissue
- Initiate repair and healing
This process is managed by immune cells (macrophages, neutrophils, lymphocytes), chemical messengers (cytokines, prostaglandins, chemokines), and vascular changes that increase blood flow and immune cell access. In short, inflammation acts as your body’s emergency response system.
Acute vs Chronic Inflammation: A Critical Difference
Acute Inflammation – Protective and Life-Saving
Acute inflammation is rapid in onset, short-lived, and precisely regulated. It serves a protective role, as seen in swelling after an injury, fever during infection, or redness around a healing wound. Once the threat is resolved, the inflammatory response switches off.
Chronic Inflammation – The Silent Destroyer
Chronic inflammation happens when the inflammatory response fails to resolve, persisting for months or years, even without obvious symptoms. This low-grade inflammation gradually damages tissues, alters DNA, and creates an environment that promotes disease. Most non-communicable diseases, including cancer, are now strongly linked to chronic inflammation.
Common Causes of Chronic Inflammation
- Tobacco and Alcohol: Both introduce toxins that continuously activate immune pathways and damage DNA.
- Obesity: Fat tissue releases inflammatory cytokines like TNF-α and IL-6.
- Sedentary Lifestyle: Physical inactivity reduces anti-inflammatory signalling and immune regulation.
- Poor Diet: Ultra-processed foods, excess sugar, and trans fats promote systemic inflammation.
- Chronic Psychological Stress: Persistent cortisol imbalance disrupts immune control mechanisms.
- Untreated Chronic Infections: Conditions such as Helicobacter pylori infection, chronic hepatitis B and C, and HPV infection can drive persistent inflammation.
How Chronic Inflammation Leads to Cancer
Chronic inflammation generates reactive oxygen species that damage DNA, promotes continuous cell proliferation, suppresses immune surveillance, and enhances angiogenesis (tumour blood supply), all of which facilitate tumour invasion and spread.
Cancers strongly associated with chronic inflammation include:
- Colon cancer (inflammatory bowel disease)
- Liver cancer (chronic hepatitis, fatty liver disease)
- Gastric cancer (H. pylori infection)
- Pancreatic cancer
- Cervical cancer (HPV-related inflammation)
In oncology, inflammation is now recognised as an enabling hallmark of cancer.
Inflammation and the Immune System: When Protection Turns Inward
Persistent immune activation leads to immune dysfunction. This explains why patients with chronic inflammatory conditions often experience recurrent infections, poor wound healing, increased cancer incidence, and inferior outcomes during cancer treatment.
In my surgical oncology practice, controlling inflammation significantly improves:
- Surgical recovery
- Tolerance to chemotherapy
- Response to immunotherapy
- Overall survival
What are the Warning Signs of Chronic Inflammation?
Chronic inflammation is often silent. However, common warning signs include persistent fatigue, body aches and stiffness, digestive disturbances, brain fog, frequent infections, and unexplained weight gain or loss. These symptoms should not be ignored and require proper medical evaluation, not self-treatment.
Evidence-Based Strategies to Reduce Inflammation
No single medication or supplement can eliminate chronic inflammation. Control requires consistent lifestyle changes alongside medical guidance.
- Anti-Inflammatory Nutrition: Focus on fresh vegetables and fruits, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats. Avoid processed foods, sugary beverages, and refined carbohydrates.
- Regular Physical Activity: Moderate exercise reduces inflammatory markers such as CRP and improves immune regulation.
- Quality Sleep: Sleep deprivation increases inflammatory cytokines and weakens immune repair mechanisms.
- Stress Management: Meditation, breathing exercises, and structured routines help reduce inflammatory signalling.
- Avoid Tobacco and Limit Alcohol: There is no safe threshold for chronic inflammation with smoking and alcohol.
The Medical Role in Managing Inflammation
Lifestyle modification is key, but medical supervision is crucial when:
- Symptoms persist despite lifestyle changes
- There is a strong family history of cancer
- Inflammatory markers remain elevated
- Structural disease is suspected
Early Medical Intervention Allows
Early intervention helps in identifying underlying causes, preventing cancer, ensuring timely treatment, and improving long-term outcomes. As a Consultant Robotic Surgical Oncologist, I advocate for early consultation rather than waiting until late-stage disease.
Public Education Through “The Wellness Oracle”
To make complex medical science accessible, I run a YouTube health education channel, “The Wellness Oracle”. The channel explains inflammation, immunity, and cancer using simple physics experiments, movie scenes, and real-world analogies, with the aim of converting medical knowledge into lasting behavioural change.
Consultation Details
GKNM Hospital
Monday to Saturday | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Consultant Robotic Surgical Oncologist (Lap, Robotic and HIPEC Surgeon)
In-Charge, Robotic Surgery Program
Arjun Cancer Centre and Pain Clinic (OPD Services Only), Coimbatore
Monday to Saturday | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Reach Us
If you suffer from chronic inflammation, have unexplained symptoms, or wish to reduce your cancer risk, book a consultation early. Prevention is always superior to cure.
About Dr. Praveen Ravishankaran
Dr. Praveen Ravishankaran is a Consultant Robotic Surgical Oncologist and HIPEC Surgeon, with expertise in robotic and minimally invasive cancer surgery, advanced oncologic care, and cancer prevention and public health education.
He is actively associated with GKNM Hospital, Arjun Cancer Centre and Pain Clinic (OPD Services only), and health education through The Wellness Oracle.
Websites and Educational Resources
- https://www.drpraveenroboticsurgeon.com
- https://www.beaconofhopecancerfoundation.com
- YouTube: The Wellness Oracle
Medical References
- Medzhitov R. Origin and physiological roles of inflammation. Nature. 2008.
- Coussens LM, Werb Z. Inflammation and cancer. Nature. 2002.
- Hanahan D, Weinberg RA. Hallmarks of cancer: The next generation. Cell. 2011.
- World Health Organization (WHO). Chronic inflammation and disease.
- National Cancer Institute (NCI). Inflammation and cancer biology.
- Libby P. Inflammation in atherosclerosis. Nature. 2002.
- Calder PC et al. Nutrition, inflammation, and immunity. The Lancet.
Final Thought
Inflammation is not just a symptom—it is a warning signal. Ignoring it allows disease to develop silently. Control inflammation, strengthen your immunity, and prevent cancer.
