To spread awareness on World Cancer Day, the Department of Student Organization, under the aegis of the Division of Youth Affairs, Lovely Professional University has organized a talk show with an iron-willed lady who defeated cancer and now is an inspiration to millions of people out there, Anchal Sharma. She is a josh talk speaker, founder of MealsOfHappiness and CANHEAL. During covid, the MOH distributed 20 lakh meals PAN India. In 2017, after being diagnosed with third-stage breast cancer, she fought cancer and social taboos with sheer willpower. She proudly calls herself a Cancer fighter, not a Cancer survivor.
After hearing about her diagnosis, her family was shattered and shed tears, believing in the myth that coming out of cancer is impossible. It was at this time that, Anchal Sharma told her family that it would be difficult for her to undergo treatment if they react like this, she believed that she had hope for life and survival. She also threw light that how people tend to ignore the early symptoms, and cancer is also considered as a stigma when it is associated with reproductive organs.
Another myth that she experienced was that cancer is contagious and many friends shunned her too. Rather than giving examples of people who fought cancer, people used to tell her about the cases where patients lost their battle to cancer. She advised viewers to never be pessimistic and listen to the cancer patients, their journey, and emotions. She suggested that treating patients normally, don’t make them feel like something worse might happen. Cancer made her realize that one should live for themselves, don’t ignore yourself or live a miserable life. Life is all about living each and every moment.
She shaved her head before her hair fall out in patches. She wore a wig once and experienced irritation and pain while she had to attend an event, there she realized that it was her journey and there is nothing to hide. She has never worn a wig ever since. She is currently in post-medication. She also spread awareness on radiation that it is not that painful, it is designed in such a way that it targets only the affected areas, not other areas. After being diagnosed, her daily routine became more hectic as she was the only one taking care of her financial needs and treatment. She goes to her gym every day and she had to visit the hospital once in 21 days for Chemotherapy. After Chemo, she took a rest for 1-2 days to monitor any side effects. In the evening, she went to the slum area and spent her time with the old-aged. She also prepared 500-600 meals with her parents and distribute them among needy people. She also conducts counseling for chemo patients.
She always saw positive things around her, ignoring any toxicity around her. When diagnosed with any disease, she advised never to search on google or take advice from random people. Trust your doctor and the medication that the clinician is providing. She also advised the viewers to believe that everyone is beautiful in their own way and never let their negative thoughts govern them. The final advice she gave was, “Everyone should do self-examination, this can actually save you and there is nothing to be ashamed about if you find something suspicious in your body. Eat clean, sleep properly and be active for 1 hour every day.”
To go through this insightful session, click on the link given below: https://www.instagram.com/tv/CZjr1wjgMxc/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
