“It's no big deal. You diagnose it, treat it and carry on with normal life,” says S. Mahesh about the cancer she had a few years ago, in a rather matter-of-fact way.
A social activist at Makkal Mandram, an organisation near Kancheepuram working for rights of the Scheduled Tribes, she is a survivor of breast cancer.
“It was when I was in my early thirties. Now, I am completely fine and doing what I enjoy the most. Today, cancer is an ailment that can be cured with systematic treatment,” says Ms. Mahesh, who will soon turn 40.
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After an initial surgery at the Government Royapettah Hospital in 2005, she found that there was a relapse a couple of years ago.
“I had ideological issues with getting treated at a private hospital. After the initial treatment at the RGH, I went to the Arignar Anna Cancer Hospital in Kancheepuram and was advised radiation and chemotherapy. Some of those days were hard, I admit. The side effects and pain can be hard to cope with. But once I got better, I only found myself coming out a stronger person,” she says. “Nothing has changed. Not even one per cent. I am working hard and loving it.”