The Times Network India Health Summit & Awards 2025 hosted a moving session on “Breast Cancer and Beyond: Stories of Strength, Science and Survival.” The conversation brought together actress and breast cancer survivor Chhavi Mittal and Dr. Sumant Gupta, Senior Consultant & Head of Medical Oncology, Hematology, BMT & Director at Metro Cancer Institute, and moderator Pooja Jain, Special Correspondent, Times Network.Chhavi Mittal's Journey of Taking ChargeChhavi Mittal opened the session with a candid reflection on her cancer journey. She shared that the first step was not immediate resilience, but acceptance. “Initially, I thought there must be a mistake. Maybe my lifestyle or diet had gone wrong, and if I corrected it, it would go away. But the moment I accepted the diagnosis, I could begin asking the right questions and take charge of my recovery,” she said.She described herself today as “Chhavi 2.0, a stronger version of myself,” and stressed that every cancer journey is unique. “No two cancers are the same, and no two patients’ reasons are the same. What mattered for me was focusing on lifestyle, routine, and the steps I could control.”Recurrence, Fear and Moving Forward After Fighting CancerAddressing one of the most pressing concerns, "recurrence," Dr. Sumant Gupta explained that about 10–15% of breast cancer patients face the risk of the disease returning. “The first five years are the most critical. After that, the chances reduce significantly, almost to the level of the general population,” he said. But for patients, he noted, living with the fear of recurrence is often harder than the treatment itself. “What helps is a combination of medical vigilance and lifestyle changes like maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet, and avoiding alcohol and tobacco. Science today has evolved to preserve not just survival, but also the quality of life.”Chhavi echoed this sentiment, adding that fear should not overshadow living. “I was fit, disciplined with my diet, I breastfed both my babies, and still, I got cancer. If it recurs, it recurs. I choose not to live under the weight of ‘what if.’ Faith has to be stronger than fear,” she said.The Role of CaregiversThe discussion also highlighted the silent strength of caregivers. Chhavi shared how her husband supported her journey by giving her space to heal, physically and emotionally. “Sometimes the biggest strength is just allowing your partner to walk their own path and being there quietly,” she said. Dr. Gupta added, “Cancer does not happen to one person alone—it happens to the whole family. Caregivers play an equally important role, from ensuring treatments are followed to supporting the patient’s mental health.”Shifts in Cancer TreatmentDr. Gupta explained how oncology has transformed over the decades. “Earlier, treatments were aggressive and destructive. Today, we focus on conservation and holistic care. Surgeries are less invasive, chemotherapy side effects like nausea and hair loss are managed far better, and innovations like scalp cooling and precision drugs have changed patient experience,” he said. He underlined that the focus has shifted from just survival to quality of life, ensuring that patients emerge from treatment with dignity and confidence intact.A Survivor’s PerspectiveClosing the session, Chhavi left the audience with a powerful message. “Breast cancer was the best thing that happened to me. It jolted me out of my comfort zone and pushed me to grow. At one point I stopped comparing myself to who I was before cancer. I began taking one day at a time, and that changed everything. Today, I stand stronger, not in spite of cancer, but because of it.”
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