A spirited resolve

Amar Bhaskar was initially disappointed and disillusioned when he was diagnosed with tongue cancer in 2006.

He thought it was unfair since he did not smoke, drink or chew tobacco. Leading a business unit of 2500 professionals at IBM, he was clouded with thoughts related to the uncertainty of his future and coping up with the treatment and disease.

However, following the depressing news, he underwent what he terms as a real nightmare — daily radiation therapy combined with cycles of chemotherapy — and more therapies later.
To his shock, the cancer recurred three years later at the same spot and the left lower portion of his tongue was removed during a surgery.

Amar had to start afresh as his tongue movements were limited and painful, there was slurring in his speech and people had difficulty understanding what he spoke.

He started using a different choice of words and there are some words, he says, he can’t even pronounce today. But, in the midst of all this, there was one thing that was indomitable — his spirit.

He took only brief periods of leave and continued working from home with the full support of his organisation. He played cricket with friends over weekends and rediscovered his latent talent for photography.

Along with his family friends, he formed ‘Vismaya-Photography for a cause’ and donates the proceeds for social causes. Today, he feels he’s bounced back to normal life stronger than before, through this life-changing experience.

“After the initial shock, there was no looking back and my positivity helped me endure the treatment while continuing with life unperturbed. The power of positive thinking helps one regain control and adapt to changes. To all those battling the disease, invoke that inner strength and never give up,” smiles Amar.

It may or may not be curable; however, there are many like Amar who have bravely fought cancer with their grit and determination, shining as a beacon of hope for others. On the occasion of World Cancer Day today, some of these winners share their experiences of emerging victorious with a powerful message for others.

A victim of passive smoking, Nalini Satyanarayan, was detected with throat cancer at the age of 64 few years back. But she chose to see it as an opportunity for a second life rather than a calamity and decided to take it head on. She went through laryngectomy after which an artificial voice box called prosthesis was artificially placed inside her wind pipe. After that, she had to train herself to adapt to this new mechanism of speaking and breathing.

It took Nalini almost a year to learn to speak but she remained undefeated — she used that time to build her self-confidence and realising that speaking was not possible like a normal person anymore, she learnt operating a computer, email, Facebook, WhatsApp and text messaging.

She gradually became a part of support groups at several hospitals where she inspires patients to fight the disease with confidence and beat it rather than see it as a death sentence and get sucked into depression.

She even works closely with the ‘Pink Hope Support Group’ at HCG to spread cancer awareness at schools and colleges. “I want to discourage youngsters from smoking and tell them through my own example what it can do to you and others around you. My aim is to create a tobacco-free India,” expresses Nalini who also provides private counselling to patients and survivors.

For Chandrakala Nagarkatti, her doctors gave her strength while support from family and role models (survivors) among friends and relatives served as a great morale booster.

She transformed the poison of breast cancer into medicine and gives back to society in many ways — counselling cancer patients at Sri Shankara Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, actively participating in cultural activities in her apartment complex and doing social
work.

According to Dr Poonam Patil, HOD, Oncology, Manipal Hospitals, the biggest problem in the fight against cancer is fear, ignorance and negligence.

“This time, the slogan of World Cancer Day is ‘We can. I can’, which means that both as an individual and as a community, society and nation, we can play a significant role in the fight against this disease. We need to remove the perception of cancer as a stigma from our minds and also improve research, advocacy, awareness and early detection campaigns.”

However, prevention of cancer, as they say, is not totally possible but the risks can definitely be mitigated. Dr BS Ajaikumar, radiation oncologist and chairman and CEO of HCG Group of Hospitals rings in some sound advice.

“It’s a lifestyle related disease. Smoking, alcohol, dietary habits, obesity, environmental factors like pollution and use of pesticides in fruits and vegetables all contribute to it. Besides, genetic predisposition also matters. I would suggest watching one’s lifestyle, cutting down on unhealthy habits and getting ample exercise, which are important in cutting down the risk. Also wash fruits and vegetables properly and eat enough fibre.”

On a positive note, as the above examples highlighted, without fear half the battle is already won.