Panna Bharali, interview in assamese-english
Interview with Ms. Panna Bharali, Breast Cancer Survivor
20th July, 2018, Dibrugarh, Assam, India
It was an honor to meet Ms. Panna Bharali, Breast Cancer Survivor, (Triple negative Breast cancer, BRCA1 mutation). I am so thankful to Panna since it is so difficult to find Breast Cancer Survivors in India who speak about their journey… Panna is not embarrassed and shy to speak about her story!! So proud of Panna!
Panna felt a lump in 2015 and she was just 30 years old. She mentioned to her dad and immediately went to the doctor. Panna has a history of cancer in her family. Her sister and mother passed away from ovarian cancer in 2004 and 2010 respectively.
Panna’s diagnosis was Stage II Triple negative breast cancer. Panna went through eight rounds of chemotherapy in Tata Memorial Cancer Center, Mumbai and twenty Radiation treatments in Dr. B. Borooah Cancer Institute. Further investigations (genetic testing) confirmed Panna to be BRCA1 mutation. Panna took a very courageous decision to remove her ovaries since she was aware that due to the mutation, she was at high risk for ovarian cancer. During the process, Panna is sincerely thankful to Dr. Gayatri Gogoi, Assistant Professor of Pathology, Cancer Researcher Nodal Officer: Cancer Program, Assam Medical College, for her immense help and support!
My urge to our conservative society, we need more women like Panna and Dr. Gayatri Gogoi, whose contributions towards society speaks no bounds. Hats off to Panna for being so brave, taking the vital decisions of her life which was not easy. Panna is truly an inspiration for all the women across India and across the world! I am so lucky to have met women like Panna and Dr. Gogoi during my India outreach.
By Dr. Lopamudra Das Roy
Breast Cancer Hub
Interview with Panna Bharali in Assamese, briefed in English, Breast Cancer Advocate from India!
Interview with Ms. Panna Bharali, Joint Secretary, Pratishruti & a Breast Cancer Survivor, (Triple negative Breast cancer, BRCA1 mutation). Panna is not embarrassed and shy to speak about her story! Ms. Panna is an inspiration for all of us! Hats off to an amazing woman, Panna!