Cancer continues to be a term associated with intense fear and impending death. The irrational fear and stigma continue to dominate over rational thinking, available diagnosis and treatment choices. Often a sense of nihilism tends to take over the mindset, in addition to hearsay remedies and miracle cures suggested by anecdotal evidence.
Speaking to Asian Voice, Dr CR Chandrasekar, Consultant Orthopaedics/Sarcoma Surgeon LUHFT, Liverpool, UK said, “Asian diaspora have more inclination to trust ‘conventional’ choices and advice from their network, often ignoring symptoms and signs of cancer till they become very obvious. There’s also a sense of commitment and service to family, to prevent disruption of normal family life, often sacrificing self-care over family care.
It is important to understand the barriers, preventing awareness of early diagnosis, screening and available treatment options. It’s equally important to emphasise that all cancers are treatable, especially when diagnosed early.
“Two important barriers that can delay cancer diagnosis are lack of sufficient public awareness about cancer symptoms and early diagnosis options, along with lack of professional awareness especially of rare cancers. Addressing both facets will improve early diagnosis and potential cure of cancers. With advances in diagnosis, minimally invasive interventions, genomics, and immunotherapy, cancer is becoming less of a challenge compared to the 20th-century stigma and fear of cancer diagnosis.
“Let us spread the positive New Year message “Cancer diagnosis is not a stigma. Cancer is eminently treatable with modern advances in diagnosis and treatment”
“Individuals especially from the Asian diaspora need to seek early treatment and utilise available resources. It’s also important for friends and family networks of the diaspora to help overcome the reluctance to seek early treatment either due to lack of awareness or ‘self-sacrifice’ in the interest of family.”
