[Watch play's recording]
When we first heard of a dramatic comedy theatre play on breast cancer,
it was
difficult to comprehend as to how the three - comedy, theatre and the
poignant theme of breast cancer - will go together. Glad we went for the
preview show
of this play because it did justice to comedy, theatre and breast cancer
issue in a very compelling way. One of the most throbbing messages,
that resonates within me, is: healing is different from cure. It
is important to mention that this play was staged by outstanding
artists, few of whom are breast cancer survivors (including one male
actor) themselves.
Toni Cacioppo, director of this powerful dramatic comedy, Pirates of Chemotherapy (written by Paul Schutte), explained in an exclusive interview with Steve Mellow: "Not only 'Pirates Of Chemotherapy'
is funny and well written with rich and well-developed characters, but
it also has a message that needs to go out. And that message is
'importance of early detection of breast cancer' - sooner your breast
cancer is caught higher your rates of survival."
'I hated when people preach to me'
"One of the characters in the play says, 'I hated when people preach to me'.
So, this play gets the message out in an entertaining way and you do
not feel that you are being preached," points out Toni Cacioppo,
underpinning why it is vital to ensure that entertainment and education
go hand-in-hand.
This play, Pirates Of Chemotherapy, was staged in Chiang Mai, Thailand (14-17 February 2019) and live streamed online
on 15th February 2019 (www.bit.ly/piratesofchemotherapy). This
'dramedy' is about six women (and one man) who share a diagnosis of
#breastcancer, all of whom are in various stages of treatment, recovery,
and remission. They bond and band together in touching, and often
hilarious, support of one another, pledging to live life to the fullest!
When life takes a permanent detour
Impact of cancer diagnosis: Insensitive disclosure changes life permanently
(Image by CNS (Citizen News Service citizen-news.org)) Details DMCA
Dr Rita Banik, who has not only courageously fought breast
cancer but also bravely survived other cancer recurrences, joined the
live streaming of Pirates Of Chemotherapy.
"Even cancer diagnosis creates a big havoc in our mind. Cancer related
fatigue starts from our mind, then the fatigue grows through the long
treatment, surgery, chemotherapy etc, and drains all our energy.
Besides, there is the looming danger of cancer spreading in the body,
which happened in my case. I was a normal person having a good life, and
with one stroke of
cancer diagnosis, everything changed - it changes the life dramatically" said Dr Banik who now leads 'Race To Rein In Cancer'.
Break the silence!
For me, it is important to share how this comedy play successfully breaks the silence that surrounds intimacy and sexuality related concerns of breast cancer patients.
Thankfully this play has one male breast cancer survivor along with six
female survivors. Women face the majority of the burden of breast
cancer, as well as are at higher risk, but men and transgender people
have breasts too and do get affected by cancer of the breast, although
the rates are much lower compared with women.
Jokes apart, mammogram procedures are painful. This truth is so rightly
brought out in the play too. We need better diagnostics that is
convenient, patient-friendly, affordable and accessible to all those in
need. If we truly want people to get mammography done regularly when
indicated, then we have to ensure it is patient-friendly and not
painful. People's needs should set the research agenda.
"It is hard to laugh with well ones. They do not know how it feels" is a
line from the play that still echoes in my heart. Perhaps that is why
affected communities connect so intensely with each other and help one
another as they move ahead in their journey to heal and cure. May be
people who undergo similar experiences find it easier to be vulnerable
enough to share with each other with empathy and dignity.
Pirates Of Chemotherapy, a powerful dramatic comedy on breast cancer
(Image by CNS (Citizen News Service citizen-news.org)) Details DMCA
This theater play was live streamed for the first time from Thailand
(Image by CNS (Citizen News Service citizen-news.org)) Details DMCA
Dr Pooja Ramakant, who is former member of Editorial Board of Indian Association of Endocrine Surgeons (IAES) added that patient support groups play a key role in helping people with breast cancer. Those who have gone through the journey of seeking treatment for breast cancer are best placed to help support each other. Quality cancer care includes dignity, respect, support and love and considers not just the physical impact of cancer but respects the emotional and social wellbeing of each individual and their carer.
Dr Chanchal Rana, breast pathologist from King George's Medical University (KGMU), also joined the live streaming of Pirates Of Chemotherapy. She said "Breast cancer can be diagnosed at an early stage and is a treatable malignancy. In developing countries like ours many times patients are coming at a very late stage where they have to go through more extensive surgery, chemotherapy and other treatment modalities. Good sign is that more women are self-examining their breasts. We must remember that cancer of the breast is treatable if diagnosed at an early stage."
Indestructible?
One of the after thoughts of seeing this play three times, was, how people who come across often as "indestructible", may be tanking up issues that make them vulnerable as human beings. Being invulnerable and indestructible also perhaps prevent them from accepting love and empathy.
When the live streaming of Pirates Of Chemotherapy play ended, Shobha Shukla, noted gender justice advocate and Executive Director of CNS (Citizen News Service) commented: "What I learnt today is that while cancer is nothing to laugh about, but one can choose to laugh at it. Just like pirates of the sea, you really did spit in the wind against all odds and made it change its direction. And like pirates, despite the missing parts, you fought a formidable battle, and reminded us of how the relentless human spirit responds to love and also that healing is different than cure. The play was like an infomercial for early cancer detection and convinced me that along with chemotherapy, the curative powers of laughter and fortitude should not be discounted."
Watch recording of Pirates Of Chemotherapy
Bobby Ramakant, CNS (Citizen News Service)
