Kunjalata Medhi, 56, a Guwahati-based freelance writer, narrated how awareness and early detection helped her survive breast cancer.
Medhi shared her story of fighting cancer from 2006 to 2008, which she recalled started with “being free from fear” to “being determined to defeat the disease”.
“The most important factor in defeating cancer is to make yourself aware about the disease, the signs and symptoms and the preventive measures. My constant reading and self-awareness helped diagnose cancer at an early stage,” Medhi said.
She spoke at an awareness programme, organised on Tuesday by Assam Cancer Care Foundation (ACCF), a joint initiative of Assam government and Tata Trusts, in collaboration with the State Cancer Institute here at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital on Word Cancer Day.
She said the survival rate is high for early stage cancer. “You need to go on despite the repression and anxiety, and make cancer a part of you, not your entire life,” she said.
“Today, I am leading a cancer-free life and working with All Assam Secretary Writers Association. My first book, The Complete Life History of Mother Teresa, was published recently. I have also written another book, The Diary of a Time of Distress, where I have illustrated my ordeal from a healthy woman to a cancer patient and now a survivor.”
Another cancer survivor, Shakti Prasanna Mukherjee, spoke about the importance of a healthy lifestyle and how awareness, screening and community support helped him survive polyp cancer.
“I’ve always believed that even when life is hard, it is still great to be alive. That feeling has only strengthened after being diagnosed and coming out of it,” he said at an event at Sipajhar College in Darrang.
A cycle rally was organised by Oriental Cancer Institute (a unit of Midland Hospital), to raise awareness about cancer.
According to National Tobacco Control Programme, Assam, tobacco is responsible for causing 90 per cent of all oral cancers.
The director of Cachar Cancer Hospital, Ravi Kannan, was felicitated by the members of Cachar Cancer Hospital Society.
Additional reporting by Satananada Bhattacharjee in Hailakandi
