Tahira Kashyap Explains Why It's Important For Us As A Society To Remove Stigmas Attached To Cancer

Life has been slightly rocky for Tahira Kashyap Khurrana but that doesn't mean that she has lost the zeal. Actor Ayushmann Khurrana's wife and writer-director Tahira Kashyap Khurrana was detected with pre-invasive breast cancer last year, but she didn't let that define her.

She has urged those affected by cancer to follow suit as she feels they are "bigger than the disease".

Back in September 2018, she shared an unexpected news with her thousands of followers on Instagram that she was detected with DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ) in her right breast with high-grade malignant cells.

In a recent interview, she admitted that initially, she was not ready to share it with the world. A few visits to the hospital, meeting other patients, talking about cancer and researching about it, made her change her mind. Talking to IANS, Kashyap said,

"No one in my immediate environment judged me. Of course, I was also asked by a couple of my close relatives... they said that the news should remain within the confines of a family circle. I thought that maybe that's the right protocol. On the other hand, my doctor told me about so many cases... women who despite getting a few symptoms refuse to get themselves examined because of so much of humiliation associated with it. Some even feel guilty."

She admitted that the conversation indeed left her shocked. However, she added that everyone's collective support is essential. She added,

"Every patient should get support from family and the workplace. My basic has always been... creating awareness about early breast cancer detection and self-love. If you are suffering from cancer, do not let it define you. You are bigger than the disease. Be the stronger person that you always have been. I wanted to remove the stigma and taboo associated with cancer. No matter what life throws at you, take it in your stride and have immense love for yourself because it is you who is putting up the fight and you are no less than a warrior. There is a picture that I had posted on Instagram on World Cancer Day. It (the video) is played on that."

Giving an update on her current health, Tahir added that now she is in "pink of my health". She added,

"I am doing pretty good. Of course, I had chemotherapy which has side effects...it can be endless, but I don't want to acknowledge them. I am concentrating more on what all I can do."

Getting back to work is one of them. There is a film in the pipeline which is getting a little delayed. She added,

"I have to make it and I will be making the film very soon. We are still in the process of putting everything together. It's a film about five women belonging to different age groups...what all quirky issues they face in their life and how they deal with them. It is a fun, quirky, slice of life, happy film."

She just directed a music video, featuring her brother-in-law Aparshakti Khurana.