Exclusive: Defeating Breast Cancer: Writer/Actor Vibha Rani’s Insatiable Will To Live And Conquer Life

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At times, 'this too shall pass doesn't cut', because cancer is a journey that goes beyond diagnosis and treatment and even surviorship comes with its own set of challenges. 'Am I going to survive?' is a question that many dread to ask that they will break into pieces if the answer is no.

According to the Globocan data 2020, in India, breast cancer accounted for 13.5% of all cancer and around 10.6% of all deaths. The epidemiological data suggest that more than 25 in every one lakh women develop breast cancer and that the trend of this disease is rising in younger Indian women.

Crisis being a part of our lives is composed of two characteristics - danger and the opportunity associated with it. While abnormal becomes the new normal, anger and resentment become part of many people's lives, others see this as a window of opportunity to bounce back.

In an exclusive interview with Boldsky, Writer/Actor Vibha Rani, who is also a breast cancer survivor shares her journey and thoughts on defeating the disease, not giving up on self, using optimism to confront the crisis and even thriving in it.

A resident of a small city Madhuban, Bihar, Rani was not the first, but the fourth member in her family to be diagnosed with cancer. 'When I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013, my priority was not to cry and face it with a smile so that it doesn't affect me or my family. It is all about taking a challenge, being patient, facing it, and conquering it one day at a time irrespective of the outcome,' she said.

As per National Cancer Institute (NCI), if you are a woman, you have a 1 in 8 chance of getting breast cancer in your lifetime, and on the other hand, you will never have breast cancer is 87% or about 7 in 8.

Breaking Down Stigma: Cancer And Perception Of Beauty

Be it dealing with cruel judgments since childhood or surviving breast cancer, for Vibha life has always been a battlefield. Vibha says, we don't get to choose our family or boss, the same happens with face and body, so why is there so much stigma around beauty?

'We are part of a society where beauty standards are intimately linked with patriarchy and sometimes it has immense power over women so much that they are either crushed beneath the weight or subconsciously become a part of it. It saddens me how even today women are judged on the basis of their hair length, skin colour, and breast size...my journey of battling cancer has taught me that the breast is just like any other part of your body, so what's the obsession around it? I did ask people around me that if it comes to survival and you need to remove a part of your body to just live, which one will you sacrifice- eyes, hands, legs or breasts? Well, it was a no-brainer for most of them as they chose breasts,' Rani tells Boldsky.

Stigmatization that is associated with cancer can often discredit their social identity and impact their psychological health. A study on Identity threat and stigma in cancer patients, published in NCBI mentioned that when individuals bear a distinguishing mark that is attributed to their disposition, they can be stigmatized.

Further, in case of any serious illness, when you choose to confide in certain people, you also have to deal with their reactions. Being looked at with sympathy can have a negative impact on the patients because it can magnify their hardship and that becomes the hardest part to deal with.

On asking Vibha, what kept her going through the crisis, she says, 'It is will, determination, patience and most importantly hope that can work wonders in a person's life, so much so that it can change their fate. When I was diagnosed with cancer, I made a promise to myself that I will not let it overtake my life. When you suffer, breakdown while dealing with the disease, your family also go through the same emotions and it is not fair because the environment becomes extremely stressful. So, keeping your emotions under check, focussing on the positive things and creating opportunity in crisis can make a hell lot of difference.'

A study published in Japanese Journal of Clinical Oncology, pointed out that 'having cancer does not generally reduce optimism and self-efficacy on the level of patients' mean scores. Cancer patients with a high level of habitual optimism will adapt to their disease better than pessimistic patients, even if the baseline levels of the outcome variables have been accounted for.'

Why We Need A New Word For 'Patient'

The term 'patient' comes from the Latin word 'patior' which means to suffer or bear. According to an article published in National Library of Medicine, this term conjures up a vision of quiet suffering, of someone lying patiently in a bed waiting for the doctor to come by and give of his or her skill, and of an unequal relationship between the user of healthcare services and the provider. The user is described simply as suffering, while the healthcare professional has a title, be it a nurse or doctor, physiotherapist or phlebotomist.

Dethroning cancer from your life can demand every ounce of willpower, and language can either become the biggest supporter or barrier in one's life. 'How we use words not only affects the way we think but can impact others in a positive or negative way,' says Rani. 'When you use the word 'patient' for someone dealing with cancer or any other serious illnesses and look at them with sympathy, then it becomes an obstacle in their recovery at a psychological level,' she adds.

Motivation Plays A Huge Role In Healing

One needs to process the changes, become more comfortable with their 'new normal' and find things that make them feel best because experts believe only these help them to adapt over time.

No matter what life throws at you, it is you who need to find a way to break free from confinement. 'I am a very social and outgoing person so when doctors suggested that for about 11-12 months I cannot step out from home or eat outside food, it was a bit of a setback, but when it comes to survival, we do everything in our power to make the outcome positive,' recalls Vibha.

Even though it was a tough call to take and confine myself within the four walls due to my fragile health, I didn't let it come in the way of my creative space. I turned my home into a workstation, did rehearsals for my play, read a lot of books, listened to music, wrote many poems and even authored a book 'Samrath (Can)'.

'I followed the doctor's advice religiously with utmost discipline ad kept my hopes up always. This kept me going and helped me to ultimately to defeat cancer,' says Vibha.

The cost related to cancer treatment and care are massive therefore, Vibha urges everyone to get medical insurance that covers serious illnesses like cancer. 'When a person is already dealing with emotional turmoil and physical pain, having financial security can bring them some relief. Also, it is essential to not take any symptoms lightly no matter how small they are, having a thorough check-up and consulting with an experienced doctor or experts become extremely crucial.'

About Vibha Rani

A national-level writer and playwright, theatre actor, social activist and folk singer of two Indian languages- Maithili and Hindi, Vibha has more 20 books published under her name. Some of her renowned works include 4 short story collections and 5 books translated from Maithili. Also, she has written plays, such as Life is Not a Dream, Peer Parayee, Doosra Aadmi, Balchanda, Aye Priye Tere Liye, Main Krishna Krishn Ki, Bhikharin and Ek Nayi Menka.

For her work, she has received many prestigious accolades such as Katha Award, Ghanshyamdas Saraf Sahitya Samman, Dr Maheshwari Singh 'Mahesh' Sarvottam Sahitya Samman, Mohan Rakesh Samman Women Achiever Award, Best Suggestions Awards, 1st Rajiv Saraswat Samman, 1st Vyangy Rachnakar Samman, Bhopal, 2009, Sahityasevi Samman, Chennai, 2011, Best female Actor Award, 2013, Vishnudas Bhave Samman, 2011 etc.

She is also associated with AVITOKO which works in the area of women's Development & Empowerment and also promotes sustainable development. The organization operates in Maharashtra, India.