Text: Rochelle D’Souza

The dreaded ‘C’ word – cancer – has grown as spread as one of the most widespread disease plaguing the human population today, killing hundreds of thousands of people all over the world, and breast cancer is the most common form of the disease afflicting women in India. One in eight women have the potential threat of developing breast cancer during the course of their lifetime. If you really want the gravity of the situation to sink in, think about the number of women you know. Surely more than eight, so how many women do you know who could potentially prone to breast cancer? Studies say that breast cancer in India is likely to kill a staggering 76,000 women per year by 2020.

We’ve all heard about breast cancer, and most of the awareness was generated back when singer Kylie Minogue spoke up about her battle against the illness and later Angelina Jolie’s choice to undergo mastectomy to prevent it. Malayalam cinema has its own stories too, the most recent being that of Mamta, who was able to fight the dangerous disease and survive, only to return to the film industry and thrive thereafter. Breast cancer may be an imminent threat to us all, but as the saying goes, prevention is better than cure, and there are things we can all do to ensure early detection and treatment.

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First, and most importantly we all need to be aware. Early detection provides the best chance of survival. In a recent survey undertaken by Aegon Life Insurance, 550 men and women aged between 18 and 54 were chosen to be surveyed on breast cancer from major metros across the country. It was found that 45% of the women surveyed were uncomfortable examining themselves as they felt that touching themselves was taboo. Doctors say a lack of awareness about self-examination means that early detection and treatment are rare, and that’s contributing to a higher death toll.

Awareness is necessary to ensure that women actively look for changes in your breast. Anything htat is out of the ordinary could be a potential threat so it is necessary to be vigilant every single day. Look and check for any lumps, unusual changes to your breast size or shape, redness, retracted nipples or discharge and pain. If you notice ANYTHING odd or out of the ordinary, err on the side of caution and book a doctor’s appointment. Chances are it won’t be anything serious, but it’s always best to check. Routine scans are also a good idea.

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Switching to a healthier lifestyle can also help reduce the risk of being prone to the dreaded disease. So keep active, get your fruit and veggies in, cut down on booze, don’t smoke and try to reduce stress, too. These things won’t necessarily guarantee you a cancer-free life, but it’s estimated that 30 percent of breast cancers could have been avoided by being healthier. Be physically active. Physical activity can help you maintain a healthy weight, which, in turn, helps prevent breast cancer. For most healthy adults, the Department of Health and Human Services recommends at least 150 minutes a week of moderate physical activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity weekly. Breast-feeding has also been found to play a considerable role in breast cancer prevention. The longer you breast-feed, the greater the protective effect.

Eating a healthy diet might decrease your risk of some types of cancer, as well as diabetes, heart disease and stroke. For example, women who eat a diet supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil and mixed nuts might have a reduced risk of breast cancer. Maintaining a healthy weight also is a key factor in breast cancer prevention. Pass us the kale and the kettle bell please.

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This is not an article about how dangerous and cruel cancer is, nor is it about how you can get rid of cancer or how you can avoid it. The dreaded ‘C’ word is capable of wreaking havoc and turning the world upside down of not just the patient but the family as well. Though we cannot say there is anything to be happy about when someone is diagnosed with cancer, we can certainly change our perspectives and look at how cancer has helped people to focus on the positives in their lives like family and not work, passion and not money. Here is something Audrey Allen had to say after she conquered her condition of Stage 1 breast cancer

My life today is all about my family

After dealing with cancer, you just never know what the end of the road is going to be, and one thing I’m so thankful for is my family. I don’t focus my life on work anymore. My whole life has truly changed. Instead of thinking about materialistic things or work, now I hold on really tight and spend as much time as possible with my parents, brothers, kids, and grandbabies.
I look forward to taking road trips to visit my kids and my grandbabies. In 2012, for example, my son and his wife had a new baby and I made a point of driving 17 hours to Missouri to be there when my grandbaby was born. I’m very thankful for my daughter and her children too. Having the opportunity to watch my grandbabies grow up, play and dance, and simply being able to visit them and hold them is amazing. My grandbabies are a very important part of my life. They bring me joy, and it’s been a blessing to have that opportunity to be there for them.

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Just like a conversational dialogue in the film Njangalude Nattil Oridavela, it is these kinds of life-threatening situations that change your perspective about how the world works, and who all are going to stick by you when you need them the most. Every single one of the survivors didn’t survive on their own. They have had the support and trust of someone who loved and cared for them.

When cancer is detected in a person, it not only changes the life of the patient but also the lives of the people who care about them. Emotions start flowing, the world seems to be ending and crumbling into pieces right in front of them. But, the will to survive and the support of the loved ones and the right treatment at the right time will help you conquer the world of cancer inside you.

It’s at these moments you realize all of us are same inside, the color, the region, the culture, the religion, it doesn’t matter anymore, because you know you are much more worth than a bunch of guidelines and divisions. Life is all about facing the hard struggles and reaching your absolute glory. Nothing can kill you until you let it and to quote a famous phrase, ‘What can’t kill you only makes you stronger’.

Text credits: Nikhil Wilson      Feature image

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