BANGALORE: About four years ago, Sarojamma, a housewife and a resident of Peenya, got the shock of her life. She was diagnosed with breast cancer and the news left her shattered. “I knew then that life was going to take a complete U-turn for me. But I was an optimist, though it was hard to be one,” she recalls. But now, after months of suffering, she is a proud survivor.
Being diagnosed with any type of cancer is devastating. Grappling with the debilitating disease and putting up a strong fight is not easy. But many have found hope in their distress, with the support of family and friends, and come out strong.
Dr Shivanand Swamy, consultant oncologist, says the number of breast cancer patients in the metros has been on the rise due to a sedentary lifestyle, lack of self monitoring, and absence of regular check-ups. Family history, he says should also be taken into account. In most cases, it is ignored. “I would suggest, if you have a family history, don’t ignore the faintest alarm bells,” he says, adding that a woman’s vigilance can help her most, even before a doctor comes into the picture.
When facing a life-anddeath question, many don’t know what to do. But Ruchi Dilbagi, a vendor manager in HDFC Life, says the patient should not panic. Ruchi was herself diagnosed with cancer in April last year. When she first found a lump in her breast, she was scared. But, not knowing for sure it was cancer, she tried to console herself that a simple surgery might remove the nodule. But when she was diagnosed with cancer, she was crushed. “I was not able to grasp the fact that I had cancer,” she recalls.
Even after three chemotherapy rounds, she didn’t see many changes in her body. It was only after the fourth that her condition started deteriorating. Though a little demoralised, she trudged on, alternating between chemo rounds and work. A chemo regime and 33 radiations later, in November last year, she was told she was out of danger. But she knows her life has altered vastly. “I know that a slight infection or illness can make me prone to the disease and I may relapse. I now pay attention to my lifestyle. I know the value of life now,” she tells us.
Another survivor, Anjali Christi, adds that it is indeed life-altering to be close to the brink. “After dealing with cancer, you never know what the end of the road is going to be. My whole life has changed now. I try to spend as much time as possible with my loved ones now,” says the 33- year-old housewife, who is now certified with, ‘no evidence of disease.’
What is most important in the fight for survival is hope, says Farida Rizwan, writer and a mentor at Helping Hands, an NGO associated with Banjara Academy.
A few years ago, Farida mother of a 11-month-old special needs girl and a four- year-old boy, discovered she had cancer. She was devastated But she recalls that the only thing that kept her going was that she had to live for her children.
“I sensed they needed me. I never asked my doctor whether I would die, instead I asked him what I should do to survive. During the chemo sessions, he even jovially told me, ‘I have more trust in your will power than my medical degree.’ Be strong and everything will fall in place. That’s all I have to say,” she told City Express.
New research at IISc
A group of scientists at the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore has recently reported a breakthrough in cancer drugs.
The scientists, led by Dr Annapoorni Rangarajan’s lab at IISc, are working on a “two-drug cocktail” that can curb the growth of breast cancer, especially the more aggressive 'triple negative class' variety.
“Our initial study was done in 2009 when we found that the behaviour of certain pathways are key causes of breast cancer,” says Dr Rangarajan. A follow-up study showed that tumours derived from human breast cancers, when grown in mice, shrink on administration of the two-drug cocktail. “A monoclonal antibody against Notch and a molecule inhibitor against Ras is what we’re administering. We are currently working on generating recombinant antibodies that can be used in human trials,” says Dr Rangarajan.
Group Provides emotional support to patients
Padma Mahadev of Connect to Heal, an independent support centre for cancer patients and caregivers, says it is important for those diagnosed with the problemto reach out to support groups.
“Breast cancer can lead to emotional upheavals. Women experience fear and a sense of loss of control over their bodies. They feel they might lose their femininity and desirability, and worry about how the world looks at them,” she explains. “In such a situation, it is important for the caregiver to forget the medical stuff and be there for the patients. Listen to them, talk to them about their fears, and don’t try to push them into treatment,” she advises. “It’s best to leave medical advice to the doctor.”
“As for the patients, it is vital that they stick to the treatment. Talking to other patients and doctors gives strength to cope with the healing,” she explains. The support centre encourages women to undergo regular check-ups and take up early treatment.
For more information, call 94498-21445 or email cancer.survivors.help@gmail.com.
With inputs from Indumathy Sukanya,Shyama Krishna Kumar and A Sharadhaa