#1 Mona Lisa is beautiful with cancer. So are you, and
so am I.
I incidentally came across this picture and
there was a lot of discussion over it on a breast cancer online forum. And what
one of the partcipants posted got etched in my memory Mona Lisa is beautiful with cancer. So are you, and so am I.
It reflected the infinite positivity of the
soul and the invincible spirit. And true tumors change life but not its value.
It also highlighted that the fact that the “cancerians” as I prefer to call
them instead of survivors emerge just like the phoenix rising above the crowd
with the eternal identity. But how many of them are able to rediscover their
purpose of life?
1. Wake up and please get your priorities
right!
The vast majority of the crowd in India are
still veiled . Cancer is still a stigma in the society. I have come across
neighbours who wouldn’t get treated at a cancer centre just because people
would get to know of the disease from the name of the hospital. They would
prefer to get treated in a non oncological setup and risk their outcome rather
than face the societal prejudice. All priorities mixed and the cancer is jinxed.
2. Ignorance is injustice to the patient!
Many a times we as cancer specialists have come across a
situation wherein the accompanying family members of the patient request you to
not to reveal the diagnosis of cancer to the patient. What they do not realise however
is that an informed consent from the patient in a language he or she
understands is compulsory. So Ignorance is gross injustice to the patient. What
is more prudent would be to have the patient go through a series of counselling
sessions before they can be appraised of the situation.
3. Always Seek
opinion from medical fraternity !
There are numerous myths associated with cancer. One of the
most common is that after a biopsy the cancer spreads fast and furious. Despite
no scientific basis this is one of the many reasons people try to avoid a
biopsy and find solace in the ignorant bliss of hearsay or resort to
alternative therapies. Often we do have to desperately argue out the definitive
need of a biopsy.
4. Tumors
do change Life. But not its value !
Cancer comes as a thunderbolt out of a clear sky and no
more is life the same. But it does not devalue life. In fact it makes it more
invaluable. So irrespective of the outcome please choose wisely before you
decide not to take treatment. Even after adequate medical opinion if proper
treatment is not instituted because one is wary of the results then is life a
tragedy. Because when amenable to best results people are wary and when they
are ready we have little options left.
