Secret Battle: Sikh Woman’s Brave Fight Against Cancer Revealed
In a heartwarming family gathering, filled with laughter and joy, one woman silently battled her own demons. Bep, a brave Sikh woman, concealed her pain as she sipped her drink, surrounded by loved ones. Little did they know, she was undergoing chemotherapy and wearing a wig to hide the effects of her treatment. The stigma attached to cancer in the Sikh community kept her silent, but today she breaks her silence to share her story.
It all began during a blissful holiday in Cornwall with her husband in early 2013. Bep, settling into bed, made a shocking discovery – a lump in her left breast. With a history of lumpy breasts, she brushed it off as nothing serious. However, upon returning home, her GP sent her to the breast clinic for further tests. The results were devastating. Bep was diagnosed with triple negative grade 3 invasive ductal breast cancer, a fast-growing form of the disease.
The news left her numb and unable to fully comprehend the gravity of her situation. The thought of undergoing chemotherapy and losing her real hair was overwhelming. Despite the challenges she faced, Bep decided to keep her battle a secret. In the Sikh community, cancer is rarely discussed, shrouded in stigma and silence. Bep, like many others, chose to suffer in silence, unaware that she was not alone.
As she attended a wedding, Bep’s hair caught the attention of a family friend. With a forced smile, she brushed off the comment, concealing the truth behind her wig. Hardly anyone knew what she was going through, and she intended to keep it that way. But today, she breaks her silence, shedding light on the stigma surrounding cancer in the Sikh community.
Bep’s story serves as a reminder that behind the smiles and laughter, battles are fought in silence. Let us come together to break the stigma, support one another, and ensure that no one fights alone.
Bep, a brave cancer survivor, opens up about her journey with breast cancer in an exclusive interview with Blush & Wild photography. In the Asian community, cancer is often a taboo topic, but Bep is determined to break the stigma and shed light on her experience.
When Bep first received her diagnosis of triple negative grade 3 invasive ductal breast cancer, she kept it to herself. In her community, cancer is rarely discussed due to fear and the belief that ignoring it will make it go away. However, Bep soon realized that she needed support and had to share the news with her loved ones.
Telling her parents and siblings about her diagnosis was one of the hardest things Bep had to do. Her mother, a cancer survivor herself, immediately shifted into practical mode, asking about treatment options. On the other hand, her father was overcome with emotions. Bep then made the decision to keep the news mostly to herself, only sharing it with a select few friends and her workplace when she was ready.
Bep underwent surgery to remove the tumor and subsequently went through six cycles of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The treatment was grueling, especially the chemotherapy, which brought about fears of the impact on her body and the visibility of her illness. Throughout this challenging time, Bep found solace in the words of an older lady she met during her first session, who reassured her that she could face this battle head-on.
While navigating the physical and emotional toll of her treatment, Bep also had to protect her family from her darkest thoughts. She confided in a therapist, expressing her fears about the treatment not working and the possibility of death. However, with the support of her medical team and loved ones, Bep received the incredible news in January 2014 that she was cancer-free.
Despite being cancer-free, Bep faced new challenges as she returned to work. Although her manager and team were informed about her absence, she couldn’t shake the feeling of discomfort and noticed that some people seemed to avoid her. Seeking comfort from a friend, Bep expressed her struggle, to which her friend responded with a powerful question: “What if, by talking about it, you could help someone else going through this?”
Bep’s journey with breast cancer has inspired her to speak openly about her experience, breaking the silence surrounding cancer in her community. By sharing her story, she hopes to provide support and encouragement to others facing similar battles. Bep’s strength and determination serve as a beacon of hope for those in need.
Bep Dhaliwal, a Sikh, has overcome feelings of shame and fear surrounding her cancer diagnoses. Inspired by a woman in chemotherapy, Bep realized the power of sharing her own experience. She decided to speak at a Macmillan Cancer Support Conference, advocating for open conversations about cancer and the importance of seeking help and support. In 2019, Bep was diagnosed with endometrial cancer, followed by bowel cancer in 2022. Instead of feeling ashamed, Bep chose to share her diagnoses with others, hoping to raise awareness and encourage early detection. While some people reacted awkwardly or distanced themselves, others offered their support both practically and emotionally. Bep’s treatments were successful, and she is now cancer-free. She is currently being tested for Lynch syndrome, a genetic condition that increases the risk of certain cancers. Bep emphasizes the importance of discussing cancer within families to identify potential genetic factors and prevent recurrences. She passionately advocates for open conversations about cancer, believing that it should not be a taboo subject. To those facing a cancer diagnosis, Bep offers her support and encourages them to communicate their needs to loved ones. She urges individuals not to let fear or stigma prevent them from seeking help and emphasizes the importance of not facing cancer alone.
