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National Cancer Awareness Day: Hina Khan’s Journey of Breast Cancer

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HIna Khan
 
Every year, November 7th is observed as National Cancer Awareness Day in India. The day was established in 2014 by Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Dr Harsh Vardhan, to mark the birth anniversary of Marie Curie, the renowned Polish-French physicist and chemist. The day is aimed at increasing public awareness of cancer prevention, detection and treatment.
Celebrities play a major role in raising awareness for various causes, especially as they have a huge audience that dote over them. Cancer has affected several well-known faces in India including Yuvraj Singh and Sonali Bendre, who have spoken about it and gone through treatments, and even recovered. However, Hina Khan, a well-known face on Indian Television has contributed very significantly in raising awareness about cancer by sharing her own personal journey of treatment, the upheavals, changes in her life, etc.

Hina Khan’s Cancer Journey

Hina Khan is known in Indian households as ‘Akshara’, the beloved character from the longest running show on TV in India Ye Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai. The actress later known for her up-beat and fun personality was recently diagnosed with a stage three breast cancer. She has been quoted saying that the diagnosis changed her life.

Khan decided to face this new challenge head-on, and has been confronting her illness aggressively. She is vocal about it by sharing her life during treatment, showcasing the changes she is facing, talking about difficulties and normalising her fight against cancer, while still excelling in her career.

By doing so, she provided a window into the emotional rollercoaster that many cancer patients experience, thus, shedding light on the mental health challenges that often accompany such diagnoses.

Advocating for Early Detection

One of the strongest messages that Hina has conveyed in various posts about her diagnoses is the importance of early detection. Through her platform, she has been encouraging people to go for regular check-ups, to listen to their bodies, and to seek medical advice if something feels off.
In many cultures, cancer is not often talked about. It has remained as a topic that is shrouded in stigma and fear. However, this transparency brought about by Hina Khan has been instrumental in breaking down these barriers. By talking openly about her experiences, she has normalised conversations about cancer, making it easier for others to share their own struggles. Her openness also helps people better understand the realities of cancer, including the physical and emotional toll it can take on patients and their families.