It is often considered a life sentence, and despite increased awareness and state-of-the-art treatment, cancer is still a stigmatised condition. Survivors or ‘conquerors’, though, say a diagnosis of cancer does not have to drastically change your life. If detected early and treatment followed, life can go back to nearly normal. On World Cancer Day, with the theme ‘Not Beyond Us’, this is the survivors’ message: that cancer can be beaten successfully and a good life can follow.
A. Sharfudeen, 71, Throat cancer
For several years now, A. Sharfudeen’s goal has been to go to schools and colleges and tell youngsters about the dangers of smoking.
“What happened to me should not happen to anybody,” says the elderly man. “If I can scare them into not smoking, then that's enough,” he says.
Sixteen years ago, Mr. Sharfudeen woke up one morning and found he had lost his voice. When doctors diagnosed him with throat cancer, they told him surgery was the only way to save his life.
Today, he is a vocal anti-tobacco advocate, who speaks through an artificial device, an electrolarynx, and is currently involved in a project with Cancer Institute, Adyar.
“So many people still think cancer means the end, but that is completely wrong. And so many patients are still reluctant to be operated upon after the diagnosis. But I encourage them to get treated — the faster the better,” he says.
S.M. Shajahan, 58, Stomach cancer
S.M. Shahjahan was not very scared when he was diagnosed with stomach cancer in 1998. Fatalistically, he thought, “If it’s my time to go, I’ll go.”
For the first six months after the surgery, during which a portion of his stomach was removed, life was very difficult. Eating was a huge problem. But after two years of medication, his life settled back to nearly normal.
“Now, the only difference is I have to eat several small meals throughout the day. But that apart, I can eat and drink anything. I was back at work in less than a month,” says the electronics service engineer.
Early diagnosis was key in his case, says his doctor, S.M. Chandramohan. “Knowing there is something wrong and not seeing a doctor or not following a doctor’s instructions is foolish. Most of this is due to fear. But you can’t live your life in fear. You have to do as your body requires,” he says.
J. Sakthideva, 14, Oesophageal cancer
It’s been 11 days since his surgery, and already, J. Sakthideva is looking forward to eating his mother’s mutton biryani.
The teenager from Thiruvarur district had oesophageal cancer, a rare occurrence with his condition, Fanconi anaemia, an autosomal recessive genetic disorder, says his doctor, Arvind Krishnamurthy.
For weeks on end, he couldn’t eat — couldn’t even swallow his saliva. He dropped from 55 kg to 35 kg, his mother says.
“We were very worried, but Sakthideva was very brave about the surgery. Even though it was a risky procedure, he wanted it done — he said he wanted to eat again and get better,” she says.
An NCC cadet who has won a medal for mimicry, Mr. Sakthideva says he will rejoin school in June, and repeat class X.
“My entire school supported me and I don’t mind repeating a year. I want to become a teacher like my father and I’m going to achieve that,” he says.
Vimmi Deepak, 45, Breast cancer
A support network is crucial throughout the ordeal of diagnosis and treatment, says Vimmi Deepak, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2011. As one who had a healthy, active lifestyle, it was a traumatic time, she says.
“But I’m a people person and I didn’t want to stay at home, not seeing anybody. Even when I lost my hair after chemotherapy, I would go out in a scarf. After every session, I would travel,” says Mrs. Deepak.
There were some bad days, especially after her breasts had to be removed and later reconstructed. “On some days, you don’t like yourself in the mirror. But my family and friends stood by me throughout and that helped immensely,” she says.
Today, Mrs. Deepak, who runs a pharmacy, is back to running 10 km three times a week and swimming 50 laps.
“Talking about it always helps. There is no need to feel shy about the disease. Cancer is still not spoken about too much, especially by parents of young girls. But this must change,” she says.
Sheila K. Pavithran, 75, Colon cancer
There’s nothing to worry about or get upset about if you’re diagnosed with cancer, says Sheila K. Pavithran, who has beaten colon cancer for 17 years now.
“In fact, I’m proud to say I had cancer,” she says. She always felt she could beat it, says the psychologist, who was living alone at the time of the diagnosis.
“I did everything myself — saw the doctors, went for chemotherapy, and, all throughout, never felt ill. I just carried on,” she says.
A good doctor and team of staff who are dedicated and committed help immensely, she says. Family, friends and medical staff must shower love and affection upon the patient and it is vital to stay positive all the time.
“I want to tell people that if I can conquer it, anybody can,” she says.
