Rish has faced a relentless adversary, one that had claimed the lives of her mother, grandmother, first cousin, and aunts. Cancer was a familiar and formidable foe that haunted her family, but she was determined to be the exception.

In 1999, as Rish stood on the cusp of adulthood, preparing for university, her mother’s quiet revelation shattered her world. Ovarian cancer had struck, and she grappled with the uncertainty of her mother’s fate. The years that followed brought a cruel verdict – her mother succumbed to cancer in 2002, despite countless treatments and surgeries.

Tragedy struck again later that year when her grandmother fell to breast cancer. And in 2004, she lost her father to heart disease and prostate cancer. These early losses etched a profound mark on her young soul.

At just 23, Rish made a promise to herself: “I will advocate for myself and take every measure to evade the clutches of cancer”. 

The family tree she drew revealed a hereditary vulnerability to ovarian and breast cancer. In 2005, genetic testing confirmed her fears – she was a BRCA1 carrier, carrying an 80% risk of developing ovarian or breast cancer. Rish participated in regular screenings to catch any malignancy early.

The call in 2013 delivered a fresh blow – her first cousin, only 35 years old, faced advanced ovarian cancer. Tragedy repeated itself. She had a choice to make as a new mother – a bilateral oophorectomy to prevent ovarian cancer. It meant no more children, but she chose preventive health over future suffering. 

Despite these losses, Rish pressed on, attending her screenings to detect any irregularities. Then, in 2019, her world was upended. Breast cancer had found her at the age of 37. The treatment was grueling and she opted for a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction.

“Why me?” she asked. But the answer was clear – it wasn’t just her. Close to 30,000 Canadian women face this adversary each year. With determination, Rish underwent 24 long months of treatment. She then entered remission, the first living survivor in her family.

Determined not to be defined by her diagnosis, Rish turned her gaze outward. She became an active volunteer, lending her support to the cancer community and her own inner circle. She gained strength, humility, and gratitude through helping others. 

Now an advocate for women’s health, Rishh shares her story in hopes that her mother’s words will make a ripple effect. “If you have a family history of breast cancer, be aware of changes in your body, stay up to date on your screenings, and explore options for genetic testing”.