Cancer survivor dances to good health

BHUBANESWAR: Noted Bharatnatyam and Kuchipudi exponent Ananda Shankar Jayant raised hope among cancer patients by sharing her own story of fighting cancer through dance. Jayant, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008, was speaking at the Cancer Survivors’ Day organized at the Institute of Medical Sciences and Sum Hospital here on Wednesday.
“When my medical reports came, I was scared, I cried and I was angry.But then I resolved that cancer could only be one page of my life and I will not allow this page to impact my being,” said this Hyderabad-based classical dancer. “I danced through the two-year treatment schedule,” she added.
Jayant asked cancer patients to take it as any other health problem like heart ailments and diabetes. “Such things do happen in life and come as speed-breakers. But we are not afraid of cardiac problems or diabetes. It’s not necessary to be afraid of cancer as well. You can either choose cancer or your passion. It is in your hands,” said the Padma awardee.
She said her husband’s positive attitude was the greatest support. “He stood by me as I went through surgery and chemotherapy. I informed all my friends that I had cancer and when I turned bald after chemo, I wore it like a badge. I looked at my underlying strength, deep passion and continued with my dance,” she added.
Odia film director Sushant Mani exhorted cancer patients not to lose heart and instead realize the inherent strength to battle the disease.
Dr Soumya Surath Panda, medical oncologist at the hospital, said the tagline for the World Cancer Day this year was ‘Not Beyond Us’. “Tackling cancer is no longer a task beyond our capabilities and the tagline is a positive and proactive approach to fight cancer,” he said.