World Cancer Day announced the Upside Down Challenge. Anita Nanda reflects on how cancer has changed her forever. And what gives her hope and keeps her resilient.
How has cancer turned your life upside down?
Cancer diagnosis is a life changing event in anyone’s life. Life is totally turned upside down. The treatment is long…what’s more it is not predictable. Everyday is a new day with different experiences. Cancer turned my life upside down in ways I never imagined. Before it entered my world, I measured time in plans, goals, and routines. After diagnosis, time began to feel fragile — counted in appointments, test reports, and treatment cycles. The illusion of control quietly disappeared, replaced by uncertainty and waiting. Physically, everything changed — energy, appetite, sleep, even the meaning of a “good day.” Simple tasks sometimes felt like mountains. My body, once taken for granted, became a daily negotiation between strength and limitation. Emotionally, the shift was even deeper. Fear arrived first, then anger, then a strange clarity. I became more aware of what truly matters and what does not. Small joys — warm sunlight, a kind message, a shared meal — everything made me emotional. Relationships revealed their true colours; some deepened beautifully, some faded quietly. Support became more valuable than advice. Cancer also changed how I see courage. It is not dramatic or loud — it lives in showing up for treatment, asking questions, accepting help, and continuing despite exhaustion. Life did not simply become harder — it became more complicated because of messed up emotions! Cancer disrupted everything, but it also taught me resilience, gratitude, and the power of hope — not as a guarantee, but as a choice I make each day.
Read Anita Nanda's experience with Breast Cancer: Live Life King Size Every Day
What is your biggest fear?
The biggest fear is always the possibility of cancer recurring! Although breast cancer is very treatable and the easiest cancer to treat as the doctors will tell you. Yet it is not free of pain. The mental and the physical trauma is a major part of the problem! The fear of a cancer patient is rarely just about the disease itself — it is layered, shifting, and deeply personal. At first, it is the fear of the unknown: What stage is it? Will the treatment work? What comes next? Every report, every scan, every phone call from the hospital can feel like a nightmare. There is fear of pain and side effects — of the body changing, growing weaker, or not feeling like one’s own anymore. Hair loss, fatigue, nausea, scars — they are not only physical realities but emotional ones too, touching identity and self-image. There is also a quiet fear about loved ones — worrying more about how family will cope than about oneself. Patients often wonder: Am I becoming a burden? Watching others hurt can be harder than facing personal discomfort. Another deep fear is uncertainty about the future — relapse, survival, time. Even after treatment, the shadow of “what if” can linger.
What gives you hope?
Scientific research gives a lot of hope. The new methods of treatment including immunotherapy and stem cell therapy along with age old chemotherapy radiation etc give a lot of hope for full recovery and healing. Side effects can be much more effectively managed now. Nevertheless the fear does not leave any patient until the end of life and that is a fact!
One change that you wish for cancer patients and family members
Cancer patients often wish for changes that go far beyond just better treatment.
- Earlier detection and simpler testing
The hope for easier, affordable, and faster screening so cancer can be caught early — reducing suffering and improving outcomes. - Gentler treatments
Many wish for treatments that are as effective but with fewer side effects — less pain, fatigue, nausea, and long-term damage. - Clear, honest communication
Patients want doctors to explain things in simple language, give realistic expectations, and allow time for questions — not rushed conversations. - Emotional support as standard care Counselling, mental health care, and support groups to be treated as essential — not optional and expensive extras.
- Less financial burden
High treatment costs are a major fear. Patients wish for affordable medicines, insurance support, and fewer hidden expenses. - To be seen as people, not just cases
The need for empathy, respect, and patience — to be heard, not handled. - Normalcy and independence
Many wish to continue working, traveling, and participating in daily life as much as possible during and after treatment. - Reduced stigma and fear around cancer
A wish for society to stop seeing cancer as a taboo or automatic death sentence. - Better follow-up care, rehabilitation, and long-term guidance after the treatment sends
