By Ruby Zaidi
Renowned film and television actress Tannaz Irani recently lent her voice to an important cause at the ‘ShowStopper’ event held in Delhi, where she spoke passionately about the urgent need to raise awareness around breast cancer, especially in a society where such conversations often remain shrouded in silence.
Addressing the media, Tannaz acknowledged how frightening cancer can be, particularly for women, and took a moment to commend fellow actress Hina Khan, who is currently battling the disease with remarkable grace and strength.
“Cancer is incredibly scary,” she said. “Hina Khan has shown extraordinary courage during this time. Despite the diagnosis, she has remained positive and even got married—it’s inspiring. She’s leading by example.”
Tannaz highlighted the influence that celebrities hold and urged members of the entertainment industry to take up the responsibility of addressing such sensitive subjects.
“We, as actors, are in the public eye because of the love and support of the people. Isn’t it our duty to use our platform to raise awareness and educate others on issues that are often left unspoken?” she asked.
She particularly emphasized the stigma surrounding breast cancer in India’s rural areas.
“Think of a woman living in a village—how does she even begin to speak about something like this to her husband, to her family? There’s still so much taboo around women’s health. That’s why it’s so important that the film and television industry steps forward and normalizes these conversations.”
The ‘ShowStopper’ event, organised by DIISHA and MH Films, aims to promote breast health awareness through an upcoming web series of the same name, which will be released soon on a popular OTT platform. The show is positioned as both entertainment and a tool for public education, focusing on early detection and breast health literacy.
A Parallel Breakthrough in Science
In an intriguing development shared at the event, researchers from the UK and Romania have made a landmark discovery that could transform our understanding of cancer and its origins. Scientists uncovered signs of cancer in a 70-million-year-old dinosaur fossil, belonging to the species Telmatosaurus transsylvanicus.
This herbivorous dinosaur, which once roamed the area now known as Romania, showed a tumour in its jaw, and—most remarkably—preserved soft tissues near the affected area. These soft tissues included what appear to be red blood cell-like structures, identified through advanced microscopy techniques.
The significance of this finding lies in its potential to offer molecular-level insights into the history and evolution of diseases like cancer. The preserved proteins within the soft tissue could help scientists understand how cancer developed in ancient species and provide valuable clues for modern medical research.
The researchers stressed the importance of prioritizing the collection of fossilized soft tissues, which have traditionally been overlooked in favour of skeletal remains. With technological advancements, these preserved tissues may one day unlock a deeper understanding of disease mechanisms across evolutionary timelines.
Professor Justin Stebbing, senior author and biomedical scientist at Anglia Ruskin University, explained:
“Dinosaurs, being large-bodied and long-lived creatures, offer a fascinating model for studying how species may have evolved mechanisms to manage cancer susceptibility. This ancient case of cancer shows us just how far back the roots of this disease may go.”
Together, the messages from the ShowStopper event and the scientific revelations paint a compelling picture of how awareness, education, and research—both modern and ancient—are crucial in the global fight against cancer.
