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If someone was to romanticize cancer, it can be explained as a supernatural aspirations of our body cells to turn immortal, becoming a reality.

Charles Darwin in his Theory of Evolution says that descendants from common ancestors undergo gradual genetic variations and changes over generations to remain better suited to ever changing environment for improved survival and reproduction. In case of cancer, body's cells use a similar methodology of undergoing genetic mutations so that they won't die and keep reproducing. Now your body's cells are behaving like an utopian or an infinitely aspirational man who wants to "live- come what may" Unfortunately for our body, it is not a healthy situation because any cell in the body has to die as it grows older and let the body replenish it with new cells to keep you going.

After interacting with countless cancer patients as their treating cancer physician, during their cancer treatment journey, I often come across individuals who are 'infinitely aspirational' and wish to fight and win over cancer- no matter what happens! An inner driving force, called as Willpower comes into play and drives these individuals to do every possible adaptation in their treatment, diet, lifestyle, ecosystem, financials, educating themselves about their cancer etc to leave no stone unturned in defeating cancer. To my mind, this sense of adaptation and a will to compete with a similar aspiration of their cancer cells; is a Rise of Cancer Survivor.

"Cancer Survivor", in it's limited definition is described as a cancer patient who has defeated cancer to survive however their survivorship begins with their mental preparedness to fight cancer despite all the odds. Cancer is not an easy disease to accept and poses existential threat to them however patients wish to survive for their commitments and their aspirations. Each cancer survivor is unique identity in itself by the sheer virtue of the nature of disease, the unique set of challenges they encounter and the pool of available resources in their journey. The only commonality is- they remain overwhelmingly determined to compete with and defeat expansionist- cancer cells- much like a true warrior spirit!

We should not forget that it is not their individual but a collective struggle because cancer impacts lives beyond the suffering individual. Alongside patient, firmly stand their relatives and friends who keep aside their priorities and play soldiers to support patients in their war against cancer. They offer love, care, affection to generate a sense of healing to these survivors.

What do Survivors teach us?

1. Cancer is not a 'Mission Impossible'!
2. Acceptance is the first step towards your commitment to fight cancer.
3. Strong willpower and an unwavering commitment can defeat cancer.
4. Stong support system is a backbone of cancer survivors.
5. Cancer education is essential to prevent cancer or catch it early.
6. Passing on the lessons learnt to other survivors helps.

As an oncologist, I commit my expertise and time to absorb all the disease, treatment and other related concerns thrown at me as much to make sure that they consider me their companion during their journey, remain comfortable and does not deviate from their ultimate goal to defeat cancer. The energy within them is extraordinary and often drives doctors like us to do our best efforts. 

Dr. Ashish Joshi
M.D,D.M
Consultant Cancer Physician
MOC Cancer Care & Research Centre, Borivali.