Rajshri Deshpande calls for open conversations on cancer: Let's normalise this

Actor Rajshri Deshpande opened up about her cancer diagnosis and emphasised the need to address the stigma around the disease. The actor, now recovering after surgery, also shared her plans to raise awareness.

Actor Rajshri Deshpande has opened up about her battle with breast cancer. In a recent interview, the 43-year-old stressed the importance of normalising conversations about cancer, often referred to as the 'C-word' and expressed that it is still a taboo in society.

Earlier on Wednesday, the actor revealed that she had undergone surgery for grade 1 breast cancer and is now recuperating.

In an interview with Hindustan Times, Deshpande noted how early detection and medical care played a crucial role in her journey. She described her diagnosis by saying, "I went, and the doctors found the lesion. I moved from Aurangabad to Mumbai, met the doctors and got a sonography done again to confirm what it is. After sonography, I did my biopsy and then got the news."

The actor addressed the reactions she received after sharing her diagnosis and expressed, "Let's just normalise this! It's such a taboo that people send condolence-type messages like 'Oh my God, so sorry'. But nowadays, with the medical facilities, at least cancer gives you time to take some action."

She now plans to turn her experience into advocacy. "The next few weeks, there will be breast cancer awareness workshops. As an actor, I use my pain for my art. Absolutely the same way I will use this pain to make people aware," she concluded.

On Wednesday, Deshpande updated fans on social media by sharing a photo from her hospital bed.