Hong Kong stand-up comics message for women is no joke: breast checks save lives, say comediennes
Rana left the clinic in shock and was two MTR subway stops away before she realised she had left.
Amid the chaos of dealing with medical costs, choosing different treatments, and failed chemotherapy, Rana found solace in family and support from friends.
“My sister flew to Hong Kong from Australia the next day to support me, and my parents came to Hong Kong to see me, too,” recalls Rana, who has an 18-year-old-daughter and 11-year-old twin boys.
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Rana owns and operates Culture Club Gallery in Hong Kong’s Central district. It also serves as a venue space for events and the occasional open mic night.
A huge fan and performer of stand-up comedy, she chose that medium to let her friends know that she had cancer.On one open mic night, Rana jumped on stage and did a set about having cancer and how she was managing it.
“The punchline was: ‘Well I’m going to have a mastectomy and my husband is very fortunate because he gets to choose the cup size after this,’” she recollects.
“My friends came up to me afterwards and asked if I was kidding, and I told them no, I really have breast cancer.”
While having cancer is no laughing matter, Rana – who has now been in remission for five years – believes it’s important to laugh and talk about it.
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“There will be plenty of time for tears,” she says. “Having some laughter among all this pain is important.”
That is why Culture Club Gallery will host a fundraising comedy event, T**ty Tumor Humor, on November 11. This is its second year, and the comediennes hope it will become an annual event.
A line-up of female comediennes will deliver sets to make people laugh, but also draw attention to the importance of getting mammograms.
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A quick poll of the comediennes reveals that breast cancer has affected so many lives. Jenna Elizabeth, who has been a stand-up comic for two years, tells of the painful experience of losing a beloved godmother to breast cancer.
“She was larger than life and even when she got sick, she was still trying to make us laugh and take the situation lightly,” she says.
Likewise, Nina McGrath, an airline safety manager who will also perform, had a grandmother and great aunt who had full mastectomies because of breast cancer.
“There was just so much fear and sadness when something like this happened to the family,” recalls McGrath. “Early detection is the key. Both matriarchs came out of their operations and went on to lead healthy lives.”
Apurva Sawhney, another comedienne taking part, agrees.
“Humour brings people together and this event is a dark, meaningful way to help prevent cancer, and any tool to achieve that goal is good.”
The proceeds will go towards Phenomenally Pink in Hong Kong, which was started in 2019 by a female rugby team. The charity raises funds to help the underprivileged get mammograms.
While breast cancer is one of the most common cancers, and the third leading cause of death among Hong Kong women, the government only covers the cost of mammograms for women over 50, and these are only available at three Women’s Health Centres.
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Elizabeth, McGrath and Sawhney only started performing stand-up two years ago.
McGrath explains: “We weren’t travelling because of Covid and it was something to do to pass the time. We jumped on stage on an open mic night and went from there.”
While all three describe their style as self-deprecating, McGrath is inspired by Australian comics such as Celia Pacquola, who admits she suffers from anxiety.
Sawhney, a public health researcher, describes herself as “a bit of a science nerd … [who] wants her audience to know that science and nerds are funny too”.
She adds: “Laughter is healing and it has got me through some dark times.”
On this point Rana fervently agrees. “So much is out of your control when it comes to cancer. If we can laugh about it, then the situation no longer controls you.”
T**ty Tumor Humor takes place on November 11 at 8pm at Culture Club Gallery, 15 Elgin Street, Central, Hong Kong. Click here for ticketsncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tK%2FMqWWcp51kuaqyxKyrsqSVZLWmrcutn2avlaG5r7HSrGaaqqSesK2xjmxpbWlgZn9wtM6nnmajn6O0br%2FTmqWdZZOkuqqv0maknqujlrSmedaopJ6mXaO8brbOpJxmmqKarrTAjJyfnpubqHq0rdWeZKWhpprAbr%2FAsmScp52asaqxzaecrGWnnbxut82org%3D%3D