Tahira Kashyap Khurrana who is a writer-filmmaker penned down a beautiful poem to motivate cancer patients and survivors to accept the disease and its scar like an honor.

Tahira Kashyap Khurrana shared a video on her social media handles while reciting the poem. She tweeted, “This is something I had experienced and written about. Joining this year’s theme of I AM AND I WILL, I urge you all to take notice of this day and spread awareness about early breast cancer detection and prevention #worldcancerday2021

#breastcancer #IAmAndIWill#WorldCancerDay

Tahira Kashyap’s World Cancer Day Poem

“Some scars are deep, some within.

Some are seen, while some are hidden.

The thing about scars is, it reminds you of the past,

The moments of suffering that you thought would forever last.

But there’s more these goddamn scars,

They’re secrets in far away, just like stars.

It’s the truth which you don’t see with your naked eye.

Oblivious to the functioning of the world, a blatant lie.

But hear me, there’s more to the scar,

It also talks about the fight, the resilience and your invincible power

My love and respect to those who fought,

The treacherous battlefield that some crossed, while some got lost.

But the thing with the health karma is that everyone is a winner,

For it’s the fight that counts, whether you’re an expert or a beginner.

The fight with cancer is not just physical but also mental,

Some battles are more tough to conquer especially if they’re internal.

But hear me again, we all have that fighter which has the universe’s might.

The indomitable spirit that can’t be crushed by any fright.

Hide not your scars my love, show them, flaunt them, just like your bright smile, soothing to other eyes.

And when you do that time and again giving people nowhere to run and hide,

They will have to fall in love with your badge of honour, your prize.

So hear me one last time, fall in love with yourself, all with dusks, scars and cry,

That’s what makes you you.

Faulty, imperfect, blemished, but all true.

So let me hear you say on this day, this year 2021, loud and shrill,

Commit yourself to spreading awareness about early breast cancer detection,

Say it, say it with me this year’s theme- I AM AND I WILL.”

Writer Tahira Kashyap was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in September 2018.

Cancer is a disease that occurs when there are uncontrollable growth and division of cells forming a lump called a tumour. This uncontrollable growth of cells spread to other parts through the bloodstream and affect other cells too.

Tumour can be of three types: Benign, malignant or precancerous.

A benign tumour is not dangerous or we can say that they really cause a threat to life. They grow slowly and spread to other parts of the body.

A malignant tumour can spread to other parts of the body through the process of Metastasis. Upon invading healthy tissue at the new site they continue to divide and grow.

Types of cancer:

Carcinoma: Cancer that arises from the epithelial cells, the layer of tissues that line or cover internal organs.

Sarcoma: cancer that begins in the connective tissues such as bone, cartilage, fat, muscle or blood vessels

Lymphoma and Myeloma: cancer that begins in the cells of the immune system.

Leukaemia: Cancer that starts into the blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow.

Brain and spinal cord cancers: Cancer that affects the central nervous system.

Causes of cancer:

Cancers can be caused by a number of different factors, most cancers are the result of exposure to a number of different causal factors. There are some factors that can be modified and can’t be modified.

Modifiable factors are Alcohol, obesity, diet and nutrition, physical activity, tobacco, workplace hazards, infection.

Non-Modifiable: Age, carcinogens and genetics

Symptoms of Cancer: Unusual lumps or swelling, constipation, diarrhoea and/or blood found in the stools, weight loss, Fatigue, Breast skin changes and pain and many more

Prevention and treatment of cancer

Prevention is always better than cure. Reduce exposure to risk factors such as tobacco, obesity, physical inactivity, infections, alcohol, environmental pollution, occupational carcinogens and radiation.

Doctors usually prescribe treatments based on the type of cancer, its stage at diagnosis, and the person’s overall health.

Information source: www.worldcancerday.org, https://www.uicc.org/events/world-cancer-day-2020

This year’s theme, “ I am , I will” acknowledges that everyone has the capacity to address the cancer burden. Whoever you are, you have the power to reduce the impact of cancer for yourself, the people you love and for the world. We can work together to reduce cancer risk factor and can save many lives from mortality. Increasing awareness and understanding about cancer can reduce fear and dispel myths and misconceptions that are associated with it.