Breast check-up? What’s that? A middle-aged woman had once confided in me that breasts are for pleasure. Their sole purpose is mere gratification.

Just like PAP smear can detect cervical cancer early, now there's a new blood test for early detection of breast cancer, along with regular mammograms, of course.

A compilation of inspirational cancer survivor stories from Indian women who tell us how they successfully put the ordeal behind them.

Through this piece, I wanted to capture how a cancer diagnosis can change your life upside down. Some stories, like the one I shared, end on a positive note, and the others may face a difficult path.

When I read that Shormistha Mukherjee was able to draw boundaries I could see the difference in our experiences. But for the first time, I was also validated. I wasn’t wrong to have those feelings of guilt, fear, shame, loss of self esteem.