When a Pink Ribbon can curtail the crab…
My association with cancer patients stems from my professional obligations for last one
decade. I have seen normal people come with some undefined symptom and land into the nightmare of getting diagnosed with some form of cancer.
Cancer is a disease unlike any other. In every other disease, the patient has an established hope of returning back, cured and fit. But in case of cancer, that hope is generally missing. Not just from the patient’s mind, but from the mind of the family as well.
I have seen people enter a doctor’s chamber happily but after few days of consulting and testing, totally getting transformed into a different person altogether. And again, this is not only with the concerned individual but the accompanying close ones too.
Couple of encounters, one of a family friend and another of a relative, shall forever remain etched in my memory. From leading a totally normal life to suddenly finding themselves with just a few months to live, their conduct and their battles have made me see life is a totally different manner. As much as I appreciate life now, the uncertainty of it has made me fear it too. Remembering the emotions of knowing that they won’t survive, even before they knew, makes me shudder even today.
Breast cancer, or any other cancer, comes unannounced. Most important day, in my opinion, is when the doctor BREAKS THE NEWS that he or she is suffering from cancer. Most of the hospitals and doctors do take care to be as gentle as possible. I always feel that this is the time when NGOs should come into the picture. There is the Cancer Care Organization which deals with counseling and helps patients to live a quality life, but a lot more people and effort is required.
This brings us to the question “what would be the outcome of the treatment?” If diagnosed early, the chances of survival is higher. For example early detection of Breast Cancer generally provides a better scope of long and quality life. In my opinion if diagnosed early, Cancer is a disease which itself cooperates with the patients.
Evolving Knowledge, competent specialists, state of art technique, targeted medicine and advanced surgical and radiation therapy are available to the mankind to counter the so called dreaded disease. In fact there should be campaign to tell that it is not a DREADED disease, only thing is, one should be alert and action should be taken at the very first sign being noticed. And thus, I am glad that corporate such as Lavasa took up this cause through there wonderful initiative the Lavasa Women’s Drive.
To summarize, my take home message for any kind of cancer and specially Breast cancer:
1. Self Breast Examination very easy to conduct herself must be done every week.
2. Never ignore any feeling of swelling or lump, contact your Doctor immediately.
3. If you are in a big city, go to a cancer hospital or a cancer specialist.
4. Even if you have been diagnosed with cancer of any origin, remember not to lose HOPE, people around the world have survived for more than 20 years after he or she was diagnosed.
5. Timely investigation and treatment will help an individual to live longer and with better QOL.
6. Hygienic living, balanced food, plenty of water, open air exercise, yoga and to top it a feeling or sense of “ I am better and I will come out stronger” gives great strength.
7. Never ever accept or seek sympathy. Do your normal daily works, for that keeps a good health.
8. Keep yourself engaged with what satisfies you.
9. Let your family member feel happy and less stressed.
10. Lastly, be in touch with your doctor for time bound Review and for any new development at health front.
The crux of the cancer management is QOL, quality of life. The treatment outcome is measured as Progression Free Survival, meaning leading a normal life without any progression of disease. And if educated, we can have a lot more Cancer Survivors than what we have today.
As narrated by Mr. M. K. Sinha, Former General Manager, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited.
