C for courage: Survivors share journeys of struggle and hope

Lucknow: When Vishal Mehrotra (47), a former banker from Kanpur, stood up to speak, his voice was calm, but his story reflected 4 years of struggle and resilience. Diagnosed with colorectal cancer at the age of 43, Vishal said the disease turned his life upside down but also taught him patience, self-care and the importance of family."Cancer changed my body, but it did not break my spirit. It gave me a second life," he said, urging patients not to lose hope and to trust medical treatment and their inner strength. Vishal was among several survivors who shared their journeys at UMANG, a special awareness programme organised by Apollo Hospital on the eve of World Cancer Day. The event brought together patients from different age groups and backgrounds, each sharing personal stories of fear, struggle and survival. Another survivor, Willam, a long-time tobacco user, spoke about his battle with tongue cancer. A socially active person, he was worried about facial scars and losing his identity. Thanking doctors, he said the cancer was removed with just a 1cm scar on the chest. "Seeking the right treatment at the right time saved both my life and dignity," he said, advising people to quit tobacco and not ignore early symptoms. Emotional moments marked the event when parents spoke about their children. Adivik Agrawal's parents from Ashiana recalled the shock of seeing their 3-year-old battle ITP (Immune thrombocytopenic purpura-- an autoimmune bleeding disorder) while Shreyash Koshal's parents from Rae Bareli shared their 4-year-old son's fight against blood cancer. Two-year-old Abdul Zain's story also moved the audience, highlighting the challenges of paediatric cancer. Dr Ayush Garg, radiation oncologist at Apollo Hospital, said nearly 30-50% of cancers can be prevented through awareness, early detection and healthy living. He added that UP reports around 2.1 lakh new cancer cases annually, with oral and tongue cancers common among men, and breast, cervical and gallbladder cancers frequent among women. In another programme at Medanta Hospital, over 40 survivors participated in discussions and later joined a city tour on a UP Tourism double-decker bus, visiting major landmarks and calling the experience motivating and full of hope. During the event, experts highlighted the importance of regular check-ups, a healthy lifestyle and emotional well-being in cancer care while also addressing common myths associated with the disease. Medical director Dr Rakesh Kapoor said cancer is no longer an incurable disease, and early diagnosis with the right treatment can significantly improve survival and quality of life.