October is Breast Cancer awareness month and did you know that 58% of people in the UK (31 million people) hold 'outdated’ views about cancer with that rising to 77% of people from ethnically diverse backgrounds according to Macmillan Cancer Support, one of the UK’s biggest cancer support charities.
Cancer is not commonly spoken about in the south asian community and there is still a lot of stigma around the topic which those affected by cancer might not have anyone to turn to get the right support or have the right information.
Macmillan is warning that with more people living with cancer than ever before it’s never been more important for people to be aware of the accurate and trusted support available.
For information, support or just someone to talk to, call Macmillan’s free, confidential Support line 7-days a week on 0808 808 00 00 or visit macmillan.org.uk/whateveryouneed.
Today I’m joined by Priyanka Pandya, a mother of two and children’s life coach who was diagnosed with Grade 3 triple negative breast cancer in May 2022 who joins the podcast to share her story with battling Breast Cancer and tackling the stigma of cancer within the South Asian Community.
Timestamps:
00:00:00 intro
00:01:56 what is breast cancer?
00:02:28 priyanka’s cancer diagnosis
00:08:44 putting on a brave face
00:10:40 how priyanka told her children about her cancer diagnosis
00:16:26 navigating cancer as a family
00:18:38 tests after cancer diagnosis
00:19:26 chemotherapy and cold capping
00:24:10 mental health during chemotherapy
00:25:00 writing a children's book about cancer
00:26:02 the side-effects of chemotherapy
00:27:21 misconceptions of cancer in the south asian community
00:28:27 advice to people going through cancer
00:29:29 becoming cancer-free
00:32:24 how cancer changed her outlook on life
00:32:41 life after cancer
If this episode resonated, don’t forget to follow or subscribe to It’s Preeti Personal and leave a 5★ review as it helps other South Asian girls find the podcast and feel a little less alone 💛
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MACMILLAN CANCER:
Website: https://www.macmillan.org.uk/
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PRIYANKA:
Buy her book here: https://amzn.eu/d/ihgVNOE
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/priyankapandya.lifecoach/
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ABOUT IT’S PREETI PERSONAL:
This podcast is all about sharing South Asian stories and having everyday conversations but from the lens of being a brown girl so expect girl talk episodes covering topics like love, career, mental health, finances, friendships, female health and living life in our 20’s and 30’s.
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MUSIC:
Upbeat-party by scottholmesmusic.com