Illness, Identity, and Activism

This study examines the illness narratives of three select Indian women—Shormistha Mukherjee, Hina Khan, and Tahira Kashyap—who have shared their experiences of breast cancer through multimedia. This research explores how these women have articulated their diagnosis and how their journey with breast cancer was challenged by prevailing societal taboos surrounding cancer in India. This article employs a phenomenological study of the select breast cancer narratives. In addition, an online survey has also been conducted to assess public perception of illness narratives and their influence on awareness, empathy, and discourse formation within the Indian population. This study underscores the importance of breast cancer narratives in destigmatizing illness, empowering survivors, and promoting collective healing. Hence, this article attempts to capture the essence of a positive shift toward openness about women’s health in contemporary India.