The year 1979 is marked forever in the memories of 75-year-old Vijayalakshmi. She was diagnosed with breast cancer at a time when awareness of the disease was poor.
Today, Ms. Vijayalakshmi proudly declares that she has won the battle against cancer, and the fear of the disease is a thing of the past.
Diagnosed with second-stage breast cancer, she underwent treatment at Cancer Institute, Adyar. “I was filled with fear. But I underwent surgery and made it a point not to miss regular screening. I had a strong will to survive,” she said.
On Saturday, around 130 cancer survivors came together at the Cancer Survivors Conclave. The event was organised by the institute as part of its diamond jubilee celebrations to discuss the role of survivors in cancer control and as ambassadors of society, and issues regarding survivorship.
S. Ganess, who was diagnosed with lymphoma at the age of 15 in 1978, attended the conclave with his wife and son. “For several years, I did not come out and discuss that I survived cancer. Today, I no longer have that fear,” he said.
Reiterating the need to control tobacco use for cancer prevention, V. Shanta, chairperson of the institute, urged the government to stop giving incentives for growing tobacco. “On one hand, the government asks institutions like us to create awareness on tobacco cessation; on the other they give such incentives. Taxation alone is not enough. We need political will,” she said.
On the incidence of cancer in the State, she said it was 100 per 1,00,000 population for men and 136 per 1,00,000 population for women. “This is going up annually by one per cent. The cumulative risk was one in eight women and one in nine men,” she added.
The survivors will participate in a run, Race against Cancer, on Sunday to take forward the message that cancer is preventable and curable with early detection.
