S5 Ep15: Toral and Kreena on cancer in the South Asian community

Breast Cancer Now

In this episode, Laura talks to Toral and Kreena about breast cancer in the South Asian community, and the cultural expectations and taboos that surround a diagnosis.
Toral and Kreena share their experiences being diagnosed with breast cancer as younger women. Toral describes the challenges of getting breast cancer three times, and Kreena talks about her infertility from breast cancer treatment. They both speak about issues they've faced during their cancer diagnosis and treatment, from the health system and within their community, focusing on the importance of self-advocating and challenging cultural norms. They also tell us about an organisation they set up, the South Asian Supernovas, which aims to improve breast cancer awareness and outcomes for the South Asian community.
Follow South Asian Supernovas on:
YouTube
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Find out more about The Intended Parent's podcast or listen on your usual podcast hosting platform.
You can follow Kreena on her website or on Instagram.
You can follow Toral on her website or on Instagram.
Find out more about our Younger Women Together service, and also our Someone Like Me service.
We’re Breast Cancer Now, the research and support charity. However you’re experiencing breast cancer, we’re here. For information and support, visit our website or phone our free helpline on 0808 800 6000 (UK only).
You can also watch this episode on YouTube.
Key Topics:
0:24 Laura introduces Toral and Kreena
1:39 Toral's story
9:48 Kreena's story
10:41 The Intended Parent
13:00 Kreena's diagnosis
22:35 Why the South Asian Supernovas organisation was set up
23:32 Cultural expectations and taboos
27:38 Challenges within breast cancer care for people of colour
29:58 The effects of breast cancer on life in the South Asian community
34:34 Tips for a South Asian person newly diagnosed with breast cancer
39:27 The South Asian Supernovas' breast awareness campaign
45:00 Now and the future for Toral and Kreena
52:45 What needs to change in breast cancer?
53:23 How to follow the South Asian Supernovas and get involved
53:51 How to follow Kreena and Toral online