Vijaya
Vijayalakshimy K Silvathorai is the Community Ambassador for NCSM and a breast cancer survivor since July 2012. Encouraged by her surgeon, she began as a navigator at the Breast Clinic in August 2013, starting with just six survivors. Over time, the program grew to include 20 navigators, expanding to support patients in lung, SOPD, O&G, and the Breast Clinic twice a week by 2018.
In addition to her role as a navigator, Vijayalakshimy has delivered talks at various events, including universities and places of worship. She also founded a sewing group to create prostheses and comforters for those in need and arranged educational talks for navigators and volunteers.
In recognition of her outstanding work, she was awarded the Global Hero of Hope by the American Cancer Society in 2015. She has contributed to three podcasts for NCD and was interviewed by BBC in 2019.
Author Archives
This is the fourth article in a series on cancer patients and case histories that I have navigated through their cancer journey. Over the years as a navigator, my understanding,…...
The Crossroads of Decision and Acceptance Decision, acceptance, and rejection may be some of the stresses and dilemmas that a cancer patient may face. This could manifest in the beginning,…...
The first encounter The first encounter with a cancer patient can be traumatic, intimidating, and stressful for navigators. Fears often arise from not knowing the answers to questions or...
I have seen about 4,000 patients since 2013. During their cancer journeys, I usually meet each patient once a week or once a month. Some required so much support that…...
This is my sixth article and the third in the series. This will be based on the responsibility of community. Who is the Community? Firstly, who is the community? Personally,…...
This is my fifth article and the second episode on the responsibility of a caregiver. Who Is a Caregiver?A caregiver is someone who provides support, motivation, assistance, and guidance to…...
The First Signs Waiting. Waiting. Waiting. It is perhaps the hardest, yet least acknowledged part of the cancer journey—painful, emotionally draining, and deeply stressful. The waiting begins when a...
When the breaking news comes, almost every patient just wants to go home and curl up in bed. But reality sets in quickly. There are countless protocols to follow –…...
Cancer is a battle no one should have to face alone. It is a deeply personal journey, often marked by moments of fear, uncertainty, and pain. At the heart of…...