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Tahira Kashyap’s Inspirational Post as She Battles Stage 1 Cancer

Tahira Kashyap shared the news of being diagnosed with DCIS on her Instagram. Here’s a look at symptoms and cure.

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Author, teacher, writer, director and radio programmer Tahira Kashyap posted a picture on Instagram where she is seen wearing a t-shirt with the words ‘F*#K CANCER!’ with the caption “That’s what you do when cancer shows up.”

In an inspirational post she says she is battling with stage 1 a cancer which is a result of early detection. She writes,

It is a tough phase to be in, but then I would have never known my own strength, which is inherent in each one of us, and which we come to know off when tested. 

Tahira, who had earlier revealed that she was diagnosed with Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS), has been undergoing chemotherapy for her condition and shared that she was already done with 6 out of 12 sessions.

She dedicates this post to her journey of fighting cancer where “half the battle is won and the other half I want to fight with each of you who is enduring it”. She urges all cancer patients to “be resilient and be strong”.

View this post on Instagram

That’s what you do when cancer shows up. You show it the way out! It is a tough phase to be in, but then I would have never known my own strength, which is inherent in each one of us, and which we come to know off when tested. Like I said before, let’s choose to be the heroes of our own drama of life. I strongly believe if an obstacle comes in your life it is for you to deal with it, overcome it, beat the shit out of it and become a better version of yourself, which could be a bit worn out but would be experienced, a bit tattered but more wise, a bit left out but more to bring forth, a bit handicapped but better equipped! So now the upgraded version of myself is dealing with cancer stage 1 a, which is still a result of early detection. I’ll be going through 12 sessions of chemotherapy. 6 down, and another 6 left. Hence the cap look nowadays😁 This post is dedicated to my journey where half the battle is won and the other half I want to fight with each of you who is enduring it. Be resilient, be strong, we shall overcome and how! Also I have immense gratitude for people around me who have taken it in the right spirit and didn’t give up on me. Personally I owe it to my best friend @komal20to77 husband @ayushmannk parents @kashyap6480 @yajankashyap . This bit is taken for granted but when professionally you are supported and still look dependable your resilience to fight becomes stronger. For this I owe it to @atulkasbekar @tanuj.garg @findingshanti @shrutiv11 who too were shocked when they heard the news but didn’t give up and still lay bet on this bruised but not broken horse. Gratitude 🙏 #earlydetection #breastcancerawareness #fuckcancer #spreadingawareness #selflovenomatterwhat #bruisedbutnotbroken #bodhisattva #sokavictor #spreadlove #compassion

A post shared by tahirakashyapkhurrana (@tahirakashyap) on

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Earlier, she had explained how the condition was localised to her right breast with high grade malignant cells.

She had explained that it was also known as a stage 0 cancer or a pre-cancerous stage, with cancer cells multiplying in a contained area.

View this post on Instagram

An opportunity to give competition to the Kardashians just went wasted! A week back I mentioned about ‘my badge of honour’ that I was going to receive. And I did and am happy to share about it with the intention of it being received with love. As that’s the only reason I am posting it. Love for self and gratitude for the universe. The picture might be disturbing for some, but these drains have become my dumbells for a few days. I was detected with DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ) in my right breast with high grade malignant cells. Simply put stage 0 cancer/ pre-cancerous stage, with cancer cells multiplying in a contained area. The result I have become a half Indian version of Angelina Jolie (since only one breast was involved)! I told my doctor now is the time to give some competition to the Kardashians since Pamela is passé. But no one listened to me, so now I have a portion of my back tissue in my breast. Perhaps now I can do chin-ups with my breasts! Jokes apart, this obstacle has given me a new definition of life. Respect it’s unpredictability and have the faith and courage to be the hero of your own drama of life. The invincible human spirit is God like, gives you the courage to endure and the will to revive. There is nothing that human spirit can’t do. Also I want women of all ages to be aware. I am 35, and I was returned twice over from a mammogram. If any symptoms come up, think of it as a protective force and get yourselves examined. Also we are so obsessed with boobs. This mastectomy has left me with even more self love! Big, small, left or right inclined , gravity pulling or defying, or even none, each breast the presence or lack of it has a story to tell. Mine has made me a 2.0 version of myself! This post is dedicated to awareness, self love and resilience of a warrior that I know each one of us possesses❤️ #breastcancerawareness #selflove #determination #faith #bodhisattva #bodhisattvaoftheearth

A post shared by tahirakashyap (@tahirakashyap) on

What is DCIS?

Sometimes the cells lining the milk ducts in the breast start multiplying more than they should, thereby becoming cancerous. That condition is given the term DCIS. It is marked by the localised nature of the cells and their lack of spreading to the adjacent breast tissue, according to Cancer.org.

This is also called non-invasive cancer, which means it has not spread to the adjoining tissue, and is not life-threatening. However, it does mean that there is an increased chance of developing invasive breast cancer, points out BreastCancer.org, more than someone who has never experienced it.

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Dr Mohit Agrawal, oncologist at Fortis, New Delhi, defines DCIS in the following manner:

DCIS is a non-invasive condition in which abnormal cells are found in the lining of a breast duct. The abnormal cells have not spread outside the duct to other tissues in the breast. In some cases, DCIS may become invasive cancer and spread to other tissues.

Dr Pramod Kumar Julka, oncologist at Max Super Speciality Hospital, New Delhi, adds further says that it “may lead to invasive tumor in the breast if left unattended”.

Symptoms of DCIS

The symptoms of DCIS are not a lot, but they can sometimes include a lump on the breast or blood discharge from the nipple, says Mayo Clinic.

Dr Julka says that “DCIS is mostly asymptomatic, but sometimes retraction of nipple occurs.”

Dr Agrawal agrees and adds:

It is usually asymptomatic. In a few cases, DCIS may cause a lump or thickening in or near the breast or under the arm. A change in the size or shape of the breast may also be visible. Nipple discharge or nipple tenderness or nipple inversion can happen sometimes. Other changes may include ridges or pitting of the breast, a change in the skin of the breast, areola. Other symptoms may include swelling, redness or scaliness.

A mammogram often suffices in detecting it.

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What After DCIS?

There are primarily two simple modes of treating a DCIS.

i) Breast Conserving Surgery (BCS): This procedure is marked by the removal of the tumour and some adjacent tissue. The rest of the breast is left intact. BCS is often followed by radiation therapy.

Tahira Kashyap has been undergoing chemotherapy as she battles cancer stage 1 a.
If DCIS has spread over a large area of the breast, it is removed entirely and this breast removal surgery is called mastectomy.
(Photo: iStockphoto)
BCS or mastectomy, with or without additional radiation therapy or tamoxifen, is the recommended treatment for DCIS by the National Cancer Institute. If BCS is used, it is often combined with radiation therapy. There might also be some hormonal therapy if the cells show estrogen receptor positivity. Chemotherapy is not needed for DCIS since the disease is non-invasive.
Dr Mohit Agrawal

ii) Mastectomy: If DCIS has spread over a large area of the breast, it is removed entirely and this breast removal surgery is called mastectomy. A mastectomy is performed if DCIS has occurred in several places and a simple BCS won’t remove it entirely. It’s often followed by breast reconstruction.

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How Can We Safeguard Ourselves Against DCIS?

Get a regular check up done. Doctor Jhulka recommends regular self-examination for anyone over the age of 20 years. Examination by a physician from 30 years of age, followed by ultrasounds/mammograms after age of 40 in case of positive family history.

Tahira Kashyap has been undergoing chemotherapy as she battles cancer stage 1 a.
Doctor Jhulka recommends regular self-examination for anyone over the age of 20 years.
(Photo: iStockphoto)
One must get a regular check-up done, especially those who have a family history of cancer, and those who are obese.
Dr Pramod Kumar Julka

Dr Agrawal says that 80 percent cases are detected through screening mammogram.

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