A book that gives hope to breast cancer patients …………….Madhavi Rajadhyaksha I TNN
Mumbai: For nearly 27 years, Jayshree Thatte Bhatt worked in the confines of a laboratory in Canada researching on breast cancer. Fed up with donning a white coat, she decided to step out and put a face to her work. The result is a 253-page book titled Journey through Breast Cancer. The book was recently released by a group of cancer survivors who were brought together under a Reach to Recovery initiative.
The book chronicles hope through the experience of five women battling breast cancer. The underlying message is that breast cancer can be combated if one has enough knowledge of treatment modalities and chooses to develop an optimistic attitude with the help of family or support groups, said Bhatt, a biochemist.
Colaba resident Esther Daswani (58), a cervical cancer survivor, released the book. A decade ago when Daswani was diagnosed with cancer, doctors had told her that her chances of survival were a mere 30%. I decided to treat the diagnosis as any other hurdle that comes along, she told TOI. She left medical treatment to doctors and carried on with life.
I would go to the hospital for chemotherapy and fix a lunch with my friends after that. If I felt nauseated, I would go to the loo and throw up, she said. Daswani now spends her time counselling patients and sharing the message of hope.
The Cancer Patients Aid Association (CPAA), in association with the Times Foundation and some NGOs, used the occasion to launch its movement for affordable drugs. They will soon petition the ministry of health and family welfare to bring down the prices of essential breast cancer drugs.
Most Indian patients dont have insurance and there is no government help either. We have seen people sell off their jewellery and property to get medication for their loved ones, said the letter which appealed to pharmaceutical companies and the government to help ensure that therapies are available to all who need them.
FIGHT AGAINST THE BIG C: Cancer survivor Esther Daswani (left) released J T Bhatts (right) book Journey through Breast Cancer