Don't want to think of cancer relapse: Yuvraj

Kolkata, Jan 2: India's flamboyant all-rounder Yuvraj Singh, who has returned to the game after a successful battle with cancer, Wednesday said he kept the thought of relapse of the disease away from his mind.

"Every survivor has this at the back of his mind. Aap ne to darai diya mujhe relapse bolke (you have frightened me by talking of relapse). I don't want to think about relapse," Yuvraj said at a programme when asked what would be his message to cancer survivors who may suffer a relapse.

Yuvraj said it was important that cancer patients visit the right doctors and get the right treatment.

Diagnosed with a stage-1 cancerous tumour in his left lung in 2011, Yuvraj had to undergo a rigorous chemotherapy regime in the US before making his international comeback in a Twenty20 match in September against New Zealand.

Describing 2011 as the most crucial but unpredictable year of his life, Yuvraj said while he was a part of the Indian team that won the World Cup, he was also diagnosed with the dreaded disease.

"I got diagnosed with cancer. It's very difficult to get out of it. I am very happy I could come out," said the southpaw.

He said now his first priority was to perform and improve.

"My priority now is my performance, how to go about my business, ... better my performance. I look forward. I am positive."

Yuvraj said he would miss "elder brother" Sachin Tendulkar in the Indian dressing rooms during the One-Day Internationals. Tendulkar last month announced his retirement from ODIs.

"I am very sad that I will miss Tendulkar in the ODI dressing room. He is such a great player. But we (the players) will talk about his contribution to Indian cricket."

"Apart from that, he is a great man. Someone we always look up to. He was like an elder brother," Yuvraj added.

Lance Armstrong will always be my hero

Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh on Wednesday said fellow cancer survivor cyclist Lance Armstrong would always be his hero, despite the ban slapped on the American for use of performance-enhancing drugs.

However, the all-rounder said he was "worried" about the consequences that the cyclist may have to go through.

Yuvraj said he sent a message Wednesday itself to Armstrong wishing him happy New Year and telling him: "You will always be my hero, no matter what people say."

"I am worried about what all has happened to him. I am worried about the consequences," Yuvraj said.

Armstrong successfully battled testicular cancer to win a record seven consecutive titles at the Tour de France.

However, last year he was disqualified from all his wins since August 1998 for using and distributing performance-enhancing drugs and was banned from professional cycling for life.

Yuvraj was also diagnosed with cancer, but returned to the field after completing his treatment.

While undergoing treatment in the US, Yuvraj looked up to Armstrong. The legendary cyclist also visited Yuvraj in Boston where the cricketer was undergoing treatment.

"Battling cancer, coming back, winning the titles, that needed lot of courage. You can see interesting movies of adventures where there are super heroes. But that`s fiction. On the other hand, Lance Armstrong is a reality. He will always be my hero," he said.