Cancer support groups shares a few laughs this month

AKU invites comedy troupe LOL Waalay and Anwar Maqsood

KARACHI: Patients suffering from head and neck cancer were entertained to a variety of performances during their monthly meeting at Aga Khan University (AKU) on Monday.

While the cancer support group was started in December, 2014, a special meeting was held this month at the AKU auditorium. Cancer doctors and patients from different hospitals were called to participate so that they may start a similar kind of group in their own hospitals.



Moreover, satirist Anwar Maqsood, Ahsan Bari's musical band, LOL Waalay comedy troupe and MAD School dance troupe were invited to perform to uplift the spirits of those diagnosed with the disease.

Read: Cancer on the rise in Pakistan, says study

Maqsood gave an inspirational speech during the meeting. "My three sisters and two brothers also passed away due to cancer," he said. "Even educated people hide that they have this disease. People shouldn't be scared of it and shouldn't be too anxious. Humanity and love can solve any worry."

Support group

According to AKU medical oncologist Yasmin Abdul Rashid, the meeting is conducted so that people get to know that they can live with the diagnosis. "We discuss issues related to cancer in these meetings and teach patients how to take care of themselves and live with the disease," she said.

Ratnani Jamaluddin, 75, joined the group two years ago. He was diagnosed two years ago with neck cancer. "I kept fighting despite having paralysis and other diseases and have been successful in fighting it so far," he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 26^th, 2015.