On World Cancer Day, our contributors shared how cancer has changed their perspective and outlook towards life, irrespective of whether it turned their lives upside down or not. You can also read their detailed cancer journeys by clicking on their names.
Sai Narayana Karanam, Lung Cancer
How has cancer turned your life upside down?
Cancer didn’t just challenge my health—it changed the way I see every single day. One moment I was living normally, and the next I was facing scans, treatments, and hard news. I had to accept that plans can shift at any time and that life after a diagnosis isn’t predictable. What used to be ordinary—like spending time with family or walking outside—became precious. Cancer flipped my world, but it also taught me to find meaning in moments I once overlooked.
What is your biggest fear?
My biggest fear is living with uncertainty and watching my family carry that weight with me. The waiting between scans, the unanswered questions, and not knowing what tomorrow holds can be emotionally exhausting. While I have learned to be strong, the hardest part is seeing my loved ones worry and adjust their lives because of my illness. That shared uncertainty is heavier than the disease itself.
What gives you hope?
Hope has come from unexpected places. Targeted therapy changed everything for me. When doctors found the ALK mutation and I started treatment with Crizotinib, my symptoms eased and the cancer became manageable. That was not just the medicine working—it was a new chapter in my life. My family’s love, my faith, and the online community of others living with ALK-positive lung cancer have given me strength on tough days. Every clear scan and every day I can spend with loved ones reminds me there is still so much life left to live.
One change that you wish for cancer patients and family members.
I wish for every patient and family to receive not just good medical care, but real support through the emotional journey. Cancer isn’t just a series of treatments—it affects you mentally, financially, and socially. Families need clear guidance, emotional support, and a community that walks with them. I want others to feel heard, supported, and hopefully, not just treated.
Subhasmita, Breast Cancer
How has cancer turned your life upside down?
Not entirely. Thanks to years of hard work by researchers and the bravery of countless women before me, who have participated in clinical trials, breast cancer disrupted my life only temporarily. I’m deeply grateful to the medical community- not just for diagnosing me, but also for treating me at the right time.
What is your biggest fear?
In the context of cancer, the fear of recurrence is always present. The thought of having to go through it all again, and the long-term impact it could have on my life and on the people around me, is what weighs most heavily.
What gives you hope?
Ongoing research, growing awareness and sensitization around cancer, and the possibility of preventive vaccines give me hope for the future.
One change you wish for cancer patients and their families
I wish for the stigma surrounding cancer to disappear, for stronger mental health support systems for both patients and caregivers, and for the understanding that life does go on. Most importantly, no family should have to lose its entire life savings to cancer.
Ramendra Kumar, Colon Cancer
How has cancer turned your life upside down?
During my cancer journey, my large intestine (colon) was removed and the small intestine (stoma) was brought out, and a stoma bag was fitted to collect the faecal matter. This stoma bag is a 24×7 companion which has to be emptied 7 to 8 times a day and 2 to 3 times at night. This has resulted in turning my life topsy-turvy, since it now revolves entirely around managing my Siamese twin. Travelling within the city and outside is dictated by this issue—the availability of a clean washroom (with a western-style commode and a jet on the right side) whenever the stoma bag fills up.
What is your biggest fear?
A micro fear, which is constant when I am travelling, is of the stoma bag leaking suddenly. A macro fear is the cancer creating some other complication and/or returning.
What gives you hope?
My ability to manage every crisis with my mantra: “Battling every tumour with humour.”
One change that you wish/want for cancer patients and family members.
I really wish society would treat cancer patients with empathy rather than sympathy or pity, and not make the ‘Big C’ an ogre which cannot be vanquished. I also wish people would not take caregivers for granted and would give them due credit. They too are fighting a really tough battle, and their contribution should be valued.
Gulshan
How has cancer turned your life upside down?
The journey has taught me what resilience really look like -not loud courage but silent acceptance and steady grace. The illness has changed the body but I choose to remain my own self.
What is your biggest fear?
The only fear is that the disease shouldn't come back.
What gives you hope?
Live in the present and enjoy in small everyday moments.
One change that you wish want for cancer patients and family members
Interest in life should never fade, no matter the circumstances. My message to the family is Love isn't about protecting someone from hardship - it's about showing them how to live with grace through the journey of treatment and life ahead.
Read Anita Nanda's perspective: Cancer Disrupted Everything But Taught Me The Power of Hope
Shrenik Shah, Head and Neck Cancer
How has cancer turned your life upside down?
Lost my natural voice 28 years ago to stage IV vocal cords Cancer & my bionic voice was rejected back in December 1997.
What is your biggest fear?
Fortunately there is NO FEAR WHATSOEVER after escaping nearly death experience in September 1997.
What gives you hope?
Accepting challenges, adversities & rejection give me enormous HOPE to extend Hands of HOPE to over 100,000 lives globally through my bionic voice & by delivering over 10,000 hours of talks, 7x TEDx speeches (1st in the world as a vocal cord cancer survivor), JOSH TALKS, international conferences, Patient Ambassador, Advocate & host of Fridays with Shrenik biweekly live webinars (47 sessions done to date about cancer awareness, prevention, treatment protocols by interviewing Cancer specialists to help community to save precious human lives).
One change that you wish want for cancer patients and family members
Cancer is 2nd chapter of life. Embrace it without fear & move on to lead a quality life personally, academically & professionally.
