BANGALORE: Like any other patient, when sixty-five-year old Nalini S was diagnosed with throat cancer, she was depressed and dejected. She had developed tumour of voice box (larynx). However after one and a half year of treatment and complete support from family members, she is again back to her normal life. “Prior to the treatment, life became a bit difficult but I have again started seeing it from different perspective. I travel a lot and and love to cook for my family and take care of my grand children at home. This disease can not stop me from enjoying life and I am not going to look back at it”, says Nalini, who is one among those patients who won war against cancer.Sharing her experience, Agnes Obanda who had come all the way from Kenya says, “It was just like a death sentence when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. In Africa people are reluctant and conservative to discuss about cancer and there is not much awareness among people about the disease. If someone is suffering from the disease, they will not inform their family members and continue to suffer. But now after the successful chemotherapy sessions, I am able to lead my life happily. Not just this, doctors have also reconstructed my breast and I still feel feminine.” On this World Cancer Day, which is being observed on February 4, many other patients who were suffering from various forms of cancer shared their personal experience.According to the experts, cancer is not fatal in all cases. With latest technological development, million of cancer patients receive successful treatment and consider the disease as an ongoing health problem like diabetes.Family support helps: ExpertsWinning the war against cancer needs emotional support from family who play pivotal role in the treatment. Speaking at the press meet, organised by Mazumdar Shaw Cancer Centre here on Friday, Professor Anthony Pais, senior consultant surgical oncology , Mazumdar Shaw Cancer Institute said, “Cancer changes routine, roles and relationship. People with cancer need emotional support throughout the illness. The encouragement of those around them can help the patients get a new perspective even when they feel beaten down by cancer.” Oncologist maintained that most cancer patients consult the oncologist when they have are in the third stage of the diseases. Hotelier’s move to create awareness on cancer Taking note of the theme of this year’s World Cancer Day ‘Together It Is Possible’, the Bruhat Bangalore Hotel Owners Association has joined hands with the government and the cancer patients to create awareness about cancer prevention among the masses and strengthen smoke-free policies in restaurants. Smoking and also passive smoking significantly increases the risk of cancer. The objective of this initiative is to strengthen implementation of the guidelines laid down by the Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act. Through this initiative, city hotels will go smoke-free protecting non-smokers from getting affected by the ill effects of passive smoking.
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