Let's wake up PLEASE !!!

Two days back, I learnt about sad demise of a friend of one of my relative. The lady, at the age of 45, succumbed to cervical cancer within a month since it was detected. Obviously, it was too advanced a stage of cancer when detected. This news came as a shocker. When I heard the whole story about the deceased from my relative, I was very disturbed and absolutely numb!

From what I learnt, it was clear that the deceased lady had displayed some symptoms for quite a long period, which if were paid attention to and treated on time, would have averted this tragic loss. What baffled me most was the callous attitude of the lady and her family that clearly disregarded her chronic health problems and carried on life as if they were just the "routine health issues"!

In another case of cancer, someone I know very closely was detected with breast cancer few months back. Luckily, the lady came out of it safely and now leads absolutely normal life but in her case, since the day cancer was detected, instead of following one course of treatment judiciously that was working great, the lady was put to endless alternate treatments by her husband and family members, making her go through harrowing times.

The number of deaths due to cervical and breast cancer in India are alarming. Most of the the cancer cases are preventable and curable if detected at early stage. Saddest part is, still, the awareness regarding this issue is negligible even in educated and well resourced strata of society.

I feel sad when people show callous disregard for health issues and check ups. In last one year, I have witnessed three deaths due to cancer in my extended social circle and made an observation which is shocking and sad. Many times, when I remind my friends and extended family members about their doctor's appointment and drag them for health check ups, I am often laughed at for being paranoid! It is sometimes very frustrating to find such attitude even in most educated and rich class! Who said ignorance about these life threatening issues prevails only in lower strata of society?

Death is inevitable. But when it is caused by lack of timely attention to health it is just not acceptable. Certainly not in today's times when every possible treatment is available! I have very closely witnessed the physical, emotional and psychological pain of the people suffering from cancer. I know how difficult it is for the families to cope up with this challenge and provide support. It is not that people are not willing to spend money on healthcare. It is sometimes just not their priority and when they realize it, it is too late!

Life is far too precious. Let's not lose it to our callous ignorance, wrong mindsets and attitudes. The most painful moment in life is when one appreciates it only on the deathbed. Do we really need to wait till our last breaths to value this beautiful gift called life? Think. And PLEASE act on it.