According to a report by the International Agency for Research on Cancer’s Globocan, 2018 report, the total number of new cancer cases is estimated to be around at 11,57,294. Between 2012 and 2018, the number of breast cancer cases has gone up by 15.7 %.
Among women, breast cancer continues to be the most prevalent. The survival rate for breast cancer continues to be at 66.7 %. The health ministry report adds that the rate of breast cancer is as high as 25.8 per one lakh women and mortality rate is 12.7 per 100,000 women.
A few of the warning signs of breast cancer are –
- A lump in the breast or underarm, that continues after a menstrual cycle – this is at times the first noticeable indication of breast cancer. Lumps associated with breast cancer are usually painless, although some may well cause an itchy feeling.
- Though lumps are generally painless, tenderness can be a sign of cancer too.
- A marked flattening, or depression, or dimple on the breast, may indicate a tumor, that cannot be seen without a mammogram.
- Unusual discharge from the nipple that may be clear or bloody or colored.
- Redness in and around the nipple.
- Swelling near the collarbone and in the armpit.
While the nature of treatment depends upon the stage of cancer, one of the suggested treatments is Mastectomy, which is the removal of the entire breast. It is often done when the cancer cannot be treated with a process called lumpectomy. Often, it is also done when a patient chooses it for personal reasons. Women who are at a very high risk of getting cancer, or a relapse, have a double mastectomy or the removal of both breasts.
The surgery is generally followed by a breast reconstruction surgery. But not all women want to undergo the process. It must be remembered that undergoing breast reconstruction or not undergoing it, is a personal and a voluntary choice and must be respected. For some women, breast reconstruction adds nothing. They choose to “go flat” and embrace their scars.
From an early age, women are told to hide scars. These scars might be physical or emotional. Tahira Kashyap, an accomplished writer and the wife of Bollywood actor Ayushman Khurana, on World Cancer Day, just demolished that idea. She shared a photograph, that Ayushman reposted with a poignant note in honor of her strength.
“Paa le tu aisi Fateh. Samandar teri pyaas se darey.” (The oceans shall be scared of your victory)
Paa le tu aisi Fateh.
Samandar teri pyaas se darey.———————————————
These lines are for you @tahira_k. Your scars are beautiful. You are a trailblazer. Keep inspiring the millions to fight their personal battles. Be the lifer you are! #WorldCancerDay
Lensed by @atulkasbekar pic.twitter.com/pPlWA6me2z
— Ayushmann Khurrana (@ayushmannk) February 4, 2019
Tahira Kashyap, wrote that these scars are her badges of honour. “I truly embrace all my scars as they are my badges of honour. There is nothing known as perfect. Happiness lies in truly accepting yourself. This was a tough one for me. But this picture was my decision as I want to celebrate not the disease but the spirit with which I endured. To quote my mentor, Diasaku Ikeda, “Leading an undefeated life is eternal victory. Not being defeated, never giving up, is actually a greater victory than winning, not being defeated means having the courage to rise to the challenge. However many times we’re knocked down, the important thing is we keep getting up and taking one step-even a half step- forward”.
A permanent scar is a reminder of the traumatic incident that caused it and can be the basis of anguish, poor self respect and problems in social situations, thus weakening the quality of life a woman leads. Tahira’s photograph then is not only beautiful, but also sends a powerful message, as any physical scar should not have an effect on the emotional and psychological well being, and a woman should not be self-conscious about it, but instead embrace it with confidence.
Last year, Tahira was diagnosed with stage zero breast cancer. She recently underwent a preventive mastectomy. In the photo she shared, a visible surgery mark spilling over her back can be seen.
Humbled and touched by your kind words @tahira_k. I feel so blessed to be in the company of such amazing and strong women like you who are taking this fight head on. Proud of all that you do. Big hug!
#SwitchOnTheSunshine #OneDayAtATime https://t.co/7XMpieYB7E
— Sonali Bendre Behl (@iamsonalibendre) February 4, 2019
On social media, Tahira was hailed for her encouraging thoughts on battling cancer. She did admit that the journey has been a “tough” one and the photograph clicked by Atul Kasbekar is an expression of it. The caption read, “There is nothing known as perfect. Happiness lies in truly accepting yourself. This was a tough one for me. But this picture was my decision as I want to celebrate not the disease, but the spirit with which I endured.”
first time and super fun! Walked for @bodicebodice at @lakmefashionwkShe had earlier, written about her experiments with hair extensions, “Wearing hair extensions kinda day! Little vanity doesn’t hurt,” but she later found freedom in being bald which she said was “liberating”.
If at all it’s helping me kick the body aches! Some might judge or ask how
but that’s how I function, at timesBut even before her scars, she learned to embrace herself. She wrote on her Instagram, “bald is beautiful.” Sonali Bendre, who was diagnosed with high-grade cancer in July last year had also taken the decision to go bald.
#BaldIsBeautiful #FindThePositive #OneDayAtATime Picture credit: @hrithikroshanSonali wrote, “This is me. And in this moment, I am really happy. People give me strange looks when I say that now, but it’s true and I’ll tell you why. I am now paying attention to every moment, looking for every opportunity to find joy and #SwitchOnTheSunshine” Both Tahira and Sonali wrote about embracing their bald selves and how it made tasks like showering and getting dressed much easier.
Women like Tahira Kashyap and Sonali Bendre will motivate more and more women to take back their control over their bodies and embrace their imperfections, because scars do not take anything away from them.
Women are more than their bodies. We need more conversations around scars and imperfections. It is time women stop hiding them and share their stories as Tahira did. It is time that women break the societal chains surrounding their bodies.
: @srishtibehlaryaThe post Tahira Kashyap Embraces Her Scars Like Badges Of Honour appeared first and originally on Youth Ki Awaaz and is a copyright of the same. Please do not republish.