New Delhi: Doctors had given up hope and said her cancer wasn't responding to treatment. But KBC contestant Megha Patil, who has won the prize money worth Rs 1 crore on the show, maintained a positive outlook to fight breast cancer. Even though the doctors had measured her life in months, Megha's ability to view things in a positive light made it easier for her to get on with her life. And such was her determination to live that she participated in reality show 'Kaun Banega Crorepati', interacted with megastar Amitabh Bachchan and managed to win a crore. "Doctors had told my family that I could survive for just six months, and advised my relatives to do things that would keep me happy. But see, I'm here participating in KBC and winning a crore too. Nothing would have been possible had I lost hope and wept at my condition. If I can defy death, anybody can. It is all about how you perceive things in life. Main shayad lucky bhi thi, par ussey zyada positive," she explains.
Since managing the cost of her cancer treatment was difficult, the financial condition of her family, as expected, suffered. 'I contracted cancer in 2006 and it was a year later that the doctors detected it. Since Cancer care isn't easy, my family faced difficulties in incurring the cost. But my husband, who is mentally strong, didn't let any pressure affect him. Irrespective of what he underwent, he remained calm. Since he knew what I was experiencing, he behaved casually with me. His constant assurance "Tum theek ho jaogi" played a key role in my speedy recovery. My elder sister also didn't make me feel glum or depressed. Such was the attitude of my husband and elder sister that I never thought of my medical condition as a liability or a problem. "Woh bolte they, kisi ko bhi ho sakta hai."
Having won a crore on the popular reality show, Megha will be careful in the manner the prize money is used. "A lot needs to be done - from paying our medical loan to investing it in my kids' studies," she says.
As Megha tells us, breast cancer can be cured if detected on time. "Why should we be ashamed of breast cancer? Why should anybody have inhibitions in discussing it? The more we discuss its symptoms and impact, the easier it would be to cure breast cancer. Every woman should be aware of symptoms to watch for. We have to understand the fact that breast cancer is common, treatable and if diagnosed it can help the patient a lot. And I request everyone to not be embarrassed of getting it diagnosed and treated," she explains.
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