A positive message from a cancer survivor

The part time consultant counsellor and head of cancer support groupin Apollo Speciality Hospital, Teynampet, shares her experiences as a cancer survivor and a counsellor with R.Sujatha

Even before Neerja Malik can open the door to her office, a patient rushes to thank her for support. Some time later the patient's daughter drops in to do the same. Another visitor wants her to visit her mother in the hospital.

Having been through chemotherapy herself, Neerja Malik finds it easy to speak to shattered patients and their families about cancer.

An aerobics enthusiast, she ignored a twinge below her armpit until it returned several times to bother her. Diagnosed as breast cancer she underwent chemotherapy when her twins were seven years old. Soon after that an uncle suggested that she talk to his friend who was admitted for cancer to Apollo Hospital in Chennai. And then, nurses in the hospital sought her out to speak to other patients.

The voluntary effort took concrete shape after she was diagnosed with cancer in the other breast six years later. Alert to changes the second time around, she was prepared for the diagnosis. But she must live with a broken rib bone that cannot be set right due to the amount of radiation given to her. “Even a graft from another part of the body will not help heal the bone,” she says. It has denied her the ability to exercise but that is a minor irritant she insists.

Cancer is scary because of the dreadful stories spun around it, she says. “A person with a positive and correct attitude doesn't have to be bogged down with fear. Fear is all about False Emotions Appearing Real,” she says.

Her family pampered her and it helped her get through the treatment, she says. In turn, she dispels fear of chemotherapy in patients referred to her. “I always like to talk to them before chemo so that I can prepare them for it. We have made a CD on chemo with information from doctors and patients that I give during counselling,” she says. She has held the hands of family members as they struggled with the truth that their loved one was slipping away.

Sometimes most of her conversations are over the phone. “I tell them that they are going to help me in my work. I tell them to join the support group.” Though very few have returned to become counsellors, she says she is happy that she has been able to put a smile back on the devastated faces that she encountered when she entered the hospital room.

Winning The Battle For Cancer

April 5, 2005

Neerja Malik, a cancer survivor, set up a support group to help patients combat the big C with grit, reports Divya A

It all began with a twinge of pain. Although Cancer is associated with painless beginnings, Neerja Malik’s warning came as a pang. The pain that disconcerted her made her run and seek medical attention. This prompt action started her off on a course that now sees her as a crusader for a cause and a pillar of strength for those like her.

She has been through the painful process of diagnosis, treatment, surgery, the recovery, the depression, the ups and downs of the cruise that is far from pleasant.

Her qualifications in social work, along with her B.Ed helped her in counselling skills and support therapy, a vocation that she took to with enthusiasm and dedication. Family and friends called her up for support, recommended her to others and got her so involved that she had to slowly give up previous social groups and commitments in order to spend more time at the Apollo Cancer Hospital and at the homes of patients.

For Neerja Malik, who now shuttles between volunteer work and family business, it all started with a setback she suffered in 1998 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She was 44 years old with seven-year-old twins. While undergoing treatment at Mumbai, she came across a support group for cancer patients. Her spirits soared and she realised she could focus on helping others rather than her own condition. But to Neerja’s dismay, a member of that group said, "You have just been diagnosed with cancer. Supposing you start counselling and then something happens to you, it will be bad for the patients’ morale."

Although this depressed her, she told herself: "Even if something does happen, at least the ones I have helped would have got something out of it." She returned to Chennai and began helping friends suffering from cancer at the Apollo Speciality Hospital. This was a small beginning, which later took roots when she met a few other women in similar condition, striving to help those suffering from the malady.

What follows is a positive story of how a woman combated cancer through rigorous cycles of chemotherapy and radiation, never letting the disease get the better of her. "I soon realised that this is a temporary detour and not the be-all-end-all of your existence," Neerja says, beaming with confidence and good spirits.

Although she kept helping patients informally at the Apollo Speciality Hospital, the trigger point for the support group was a casual lunch in 2002. Neerja, along with five of her friends, who liked getting together over lunch, decided to direct our energies into a proper channel.

They begin where the doctors leave off. The group is a shoulder to cry on, a hand to hold onto, and a face to draw comfort from. The group is a patient listener offering positive suggestions drawn from their own experiences. "We tell patients we’ve done it and so can you," says Neerja. Adds Neerja, "You have to rise above the pettiness around. God is a pillar of strength. If he gives you a problem, it is his problem to give you a solution."

Cancer Support Group Opened At Apollo

March 8th, 2004

A Cancer Support Group, inaugurated in the Apollo Hospitals here today, will provide psychological and emotional support to patients in management and treatment of the disease.

Comprising many survivors, the group will spend "quality time with patients in the hospital, read from scriptures and religious books, counsel patients and provide moral support to the newly-diagnosed."

The group is headed by Neerja Malik, a cancer survivor, who is involved in support groups elsewhere too. It will also focus on rehabilitating patients to help them return to normal life, convening monthly meetings with updates from specialists and launching awareness programmes on the disease for women, according to the group's brochure.

Sharing her experience, Ms. Malik says the motto of the group is, "We have done it and you too can. Just take it easy and do it." The members will provide necessary support to patients to minimise their trauma. Neerja can be reached at 98400 66637.

The Apollo Speciality Hospitals provided the support group with a desk and  also commissioned a cancer helpline, which can be reached over phone (9941993333).

Preetha Reddy, Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals, pinned badges on members and lauded them for their endeavour.

Jaishree Gajraj, consultant gynaecologist, said women hesitated to go for cervical smear or mammography due to myths.

Selvi Radhakrishna, consultant surgeon in oncology, said breast cancer was the most prevalent form, affecting about 80,000 people in India annually. It was largely prevalent among the members of urban upper middle-class. Breast cancer manifested due to family history or was caused by increased exposure to oestrogen or obesity.

A change of lifestyle, eating more fruits, vegetables high in fibre content and fish and regular exercises helped in preventing it.

Stressing early detection, Dr. Selvi she said women should begin self-examination at 20, go for clinical examination after 30 and opt for mammography after 40 years.