I Defeated Breast Cancer

 Rajni Arora was going to be 44, when life sprang a surprise. The first time she spotted a lump in her neckline, she was apprehensive. The diagnosis gave words to her worst fears. She tells….

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in November 2002. An ultrasound guided FNAC confirmed cancer. As I prepared for the surgery, my immediate worry was for my children. I felt they were too young to face life on their own. But I kept a brave front and we decided to go to a cancer hospital so that all my treatment could be done under one roof.

The surgery was scheduled within days of the diagnosis and informing the family was the hardest. I told my son who had been 14 then, about the lump and the need for surgery. He wanted to know if I was going to die! I told him I was going to be fine. Our daughter who was studying abroad was scheduled to come home on vacation soon and we decided to tell her when she came.

Aftermath

Each of the six chemotherapy cycles brought a new set of side effects. In between, I had to undergo 31 radiotherapy sessions. The skin on my neck had begun to peel off and the scorching heat caused a lot of discomfort. But I tried not to give into the temptation of pitying myself and kept my wits, never worrying about the outcome of the treatment and tried different headgears once I began to lose my hair. I would often counsel other patients at the hospital where I was being treated!

I tried to eat well and on time and rested when I was tired. I started to chant and that gave me a lot of peace each time I felt low. I joined music classes and also began to paint again. I also went to a friend’s pottery studio doing some clay moulding, which I found very therapeutic.

I was working with my husband in the field of advertising when my cancer was diagnosed. Once my treatment got over, I joined CanSupport, an organization that works for cancer patients. As a volunteer, I get to interact with those touched by cancer during the support group meetings and I can reach out to many others who are looking for support during their journey through cancer.

Today, I feel privileged to have been touched by cancer and to have got a second chance to make the most of life, spending each moment doing something meaningful.

Dr. Siddharth Sahni, consultant breast surgeon Artemis Health Institute

Breast cancer is a huge health threat for Indian women. Dr. Siddharth Sahni says, “The youngest patient I saw was of 28 and the oldest was of 90. The average age at which breast cancer afflicts Indian women is the forties, which is about 10-15 years younger than the west. Like Rajni, almost all women in India get married by 30, have children and had breastfed. In at least 80 percent of the cases women have no risk factors.”

“Becoming breast aware is important for women, regardless of their age. Look out for these changes in the texture of your breasts”, advises he.
o Painless lumps
o Any change in the breasts felt by the lady that should be brought to the specialist’s notice.
o Lumps or thickening of the tissue
o Pain
o Discharge from the nipple
o Unusual appearance or sensation
o ‘Tethering’ of the skin, as if being pulled from the inside.

Every month examine your breasts one week after you had your periods. Learn the right technique from your gynaecologist. “Between, 20 to 40 have a clinical exam done by doctor, every year to evaluate your risk factors for breast cancer and after 40, get a mammogram done every three years”, says Dr. Sahni. “In case you have gone the implant way to enhance your natural assets, while getting a mammogram done, inform your radiologist about the implants. You might get MRI of breasts done together with a mammogram to evaluate your risk factors”, cautions he.

Related Posts

1. How to defeat breast cancer
2. Breast Cancer: Myths versus Facts
3. Breast Cancer Awareness
4. Breast Cancer Hurts Men Too!
5. Screen Yourself Against Cancer

1. What Has Worked Best For You In Reducing Cellulite & Lumps On Thighs? | My Cellulite Solutions