Let us take a step. Let us bring the change...

[Priya10]

Two days ago I received a letter from the NHS (National Health Service) inviting me for a cervical screening. I found it surprising. Cervical Screening Test? Me ? Why ?!! And when I opened it, I found a cute little booklet explaining the significance of the test, the meaning of the test and benefits of such tests. The thing that struck me was that the booklet explained beautifully that abnormality in this test doesnt lead to cancer but it will help in checking the health of the cervix and definitely help in early detection if it is cancer. I found this initiative of a booklet and the letter quite amazing because this was something I have not seen in India. The letter took me back to the time when my mother was diagnosed with cancer. It was almost the third stage. I felt lost. I felt scared. And after hours that were spent on google and calling all my medico friends I was left with one question. The question was, ' Why didnt we know something was wrong earlier? '

My mom had colon cancer. She was suffering. But she didnt think it was anything worse. She went to a neighborhood physician who felt it might be piles and gave her medicine and she pulled on. Going for check ups or screenings or a doctor's visit is something that most of us spontaneously back away from. And I believe it is not because we dont love ourselves. But it is because most of us keep postponing stuff for various reasons. I believe the reasons could be putting the effort of going for a check up or the uneasiness that a particular check up might bring with it. It could be the pain or the expense. And these are valid reasons. As a primary caregiver, as a daughter and as a student pursuing health psychology, I believe that it is time that those of us who have seen cancer in very close quaters take a first step.

What do I mean by first step? By taking a first step, I mean that we begin talking about cancer. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in India and if detected early is curable. In most of the medical packages that I have seen in hospitals, I have not come across any package that offers mammography. People are familiar with what cancer is but people who have seen it themselves or someone in their family know exactly what it is and what it does. In interacting with patients and their families, I have learned that there are many who dont like to talk about cancer. And this is where we need to change. We need to talk about the importance of regular Breast Self Examination ( BSE). We need to talk to young girls about it, to the people in our neighborhood and around us. We need to encourage people for regular screenings, motivate them to engage in it because even though it is uncomfortable, it is a proactive step that one takes for ONESELF. I know this might sound ideal but the more awareness we begin to spread and the more we motivate the people around us to take charge, the more we shall succeed. Why cant we create our own groups wherever we are and start helping each other?

Working closely for a cancer support group I also realized that there numerous people who want to help others by being a volunteer or by funding something. It just takes a spark of motivation and a passion for making a difference to find the right people and funds that can CREATE a change. It is because we have seen it, because we have lived it, that is reason enough to reach out and take a step. It is because we know what cancer is and the importance of timing and early detection that is reason enough to talk about it. I pledge that I am going to talk about the importance of self breast examinations. I pledge that I am going to start talking about mammography and find ways that women get it. I pledge that I will put in my effort so that people know facts about breast cancer. I also pledge that I am ready to lend a helping hand, be a listener and a support to caregivers, to daughters who fear, to sons who feel clueless and to husbands who feel helpless. It is just matter of taking a first step and reaching out. Let our lived experience be a source of strength and inspiration to bring a shift in people's lives and a forum that helps face cancer in the best way possible.

[shikhacanfightit]

Love to you Priya. Thanks for sharing this story. It touched my heart. I am sure we will be able make a difference!! We will move one stone at a time and finally move this mountain of a barrier that stops women from taking care of their own health away one day!

[Priya10 in reply to shikhacanfightit]

Yes Shikha! This forum has initiated the change and WE will work towards creating it!

[Priya10 in reply to shikhacanfightit]

Shikha.. Do share some of the work that you have been doing there.. It would be enlightening to get different ways of reaching out in the community.

[sumeet_shah Administrator]

A wonderful sharing of thoughts, Priya. All very aptly said. I wish more people read this and understand. I think, you, Shikha and HelpingHand, on this forum, as more like an army by yourselves, and we can and we WILL make a difference!

[Priya10 in reply to sumeet_shah]

Thanks Dr. Sumeet. You are the binding force for this change. The spark of motivation and passion that brought all of us together.. And I feel the more holistically we approach cancer incorporating all the medical as well as psycho social aspects, the more concrete and permanent our change will be!

[arundhatip]

Thanks to you all for writing on this forum, so everyone can learn. We need to share our experinces so other people will find the path more easy.

[rgci13]

Yes we do need to share our experiences but I find that we tend to tell people only in brief their experiences but if we are more detailed then I feel people will be more beneficial.

[Priya10 in reply to rgci13]

Dear rgci13,

I think deep down the thing that binds all of us here is the experience ..common experience.. When we share what we have really gone through... we allow people to connect to us because they relate and feel that there is someone else too.. And that is exactly how each of us can mutually support each other. Sharing of facts is something mostly everyone does.... Its by sharing what we have gone through that will help people .

[sumeet_shah Administrator]

Very correct, arundhatip and rgci13; sharing will help a lot!