Strictly’s Dr Punam Krishan reveals she is battling cancer as she shares ‘shock’ diagnosis

Strictly Come Dancing star Dr. Punam Krishan She shared her “shock” diagnosis on Instagram on Sunday, revealing she was battling breast cancer.

The doctor and television star said he received the devastating news five months ago and has “gone to some very dark places” since then.

Dr., who appeared in the BBC series in 2024. Punam explained that although she was in ‘fear’, she took everything one by one.

He wrote: ‘There it is… Five months ago I heard the words no one wants to hear: You have cancer.

‘I’m still having trouble writing this sentence. But this is my truth and my reality.

‘I have spent almost 20 years as a doctor supporting patients and families with difficult diagnoses. But still nothing – absolutely nothing – can prepare you for being on target.

‘Shock. Fear. Trauma. ‘The information has little meaning at that moment.’

The doctor and television star said he received the devastating news five months ago and has ‘gone to some very dark places’ since then; 2024 in the picture

She continued: ‘I was diagnosed with breast cancer.

‘Since then I’ve taken things one by one because it was the only thing I could do. I’m incredibly lucky to be looked after by the most outstanding NHS team, from my GP to my thoracic and oncology teams. And yet…it was really hard. It’s much harder than I imagined.

‘I kept it secret during treatment, trying to protect my energy and most importantly my children.

‘My husband, my family and a small circle of friends carried me through in ways I will never forget. When something like this happens, you realize very quickly what and who is really important.’

Punam, a junior doctor, revealed on the BBC’s Morning Live that she had a “gut feeling” that something was wrong and urged fans to get checked.

He said his treatment had been completed and he decided to share this terrible news with his fans now because he was ‘still shaken’ and feeling ‘heavy’.

The BBC star wrote: ‘I have completed treatment and am recovering. Grateful. Relax. I’m still shaken. All of these can exist at once.

‘I’m sharing this now because it was heavy to carry it silently. Because I have always believed in honesty.

Dr., who appeared in the BBC series in 2024. Punam explained that although she was in ‘fear’, she took everything one by one.

He wrote: ‘There it is… Five months ago I heard the words no one wants to hear: You have cancer. I’m still having trouble writing this sentence. But this is my truth and my truth’

Punam reveals she had an ‘instinct’ that something was wrong and urged fans to get checked out early

‘And because life rarely looks like a highlight reel, even if it looks that way from the outside.

‘Cancer does not discriminate. I had no family history. I was fine. I am a doctor. And yet – here I am.

‘What I learned most is this: Early diagnosis saves lives. It saved mine. My story began with an unusual feeling; an instinctive instinct. It was important to listen to him. Please know your body. Be confident. And if something doesn’t feel right, take action early.

‘This experience changed me. It took me to some very dark places mentally – conversations about your own mortality will do that – but it also brought me back to what really matters in life.

‘Your health is everything. It’s not work. It’s not a commodity. It’s not perfection. I have more to share when I’m ready. Thank you for being here for now and for graciously making space.’

Punam’s friends and Strictly pals were quick to take to the comments to send their love, including former dance partner Gorka Marquez and professional dancer Amy Dowden, who also has breast cancer.

Gorka wrote: ‘I know you and I know you will get through this! And we will sit and drink coffee and croissants.

Amy wrote: ‘Sending so much love to this pink sister xxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx’

Others wrote: ‘Sending you so much love; Sending you all my love..You have this; You know I adore you – you did everything right – I’m sending so much love and prayers;

‘Sending my love!!!!! Speedy recovery xx; Thank you very much for sharing and raising awareness about early diagnosis. I’m sending you lots of love.’

Dr Punam’s Strictly pals took to the comments to send their love, including former partner Gorka Marquez and professional dancer Amy Dowden, who also has breast cancer

Punam, Scottish Conservative Health Spokesperson Dr. She is happily married to Sandesh Gulhane and has two children, 12-year-old son Aarish and 5-year-old daughter Ellora.

Punam appeared in the 2024 series of Strictly and finished eleventh after comedian Chris McCausland won Glitterball.

She is happily married to Scottish Conservative Health Spokesperson Dr Sandesh Gulhane. She shares two children with her, 12-year-old son Aarish and 5-year-old daughter Ellora, and regularly shares photos of the family on Instagram.

The star broadcasts on television, radio and in national newspapers and is passionate about using her platform to give people more information about their physical and mental health.

The NHS GP is one of the junior doctors on BBC Morning Live and BBC Radio Scotland’s Phone In Surgery programmes.

He is also the author of How to Become a Doctor and Other Life-Saving Jobs, and last year he published You and Your Body.

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world, affecting more than two million women annually.

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. More than 55,000 new cases occur in the UK each year and the disease claims the lives of 11,500 women. It strikes 266,000 people and kills 40,000 each year in the United States. So what causes this and how can it be treated?

What is breast cancer?

It comes from a cancerous cell that develops in the lining of a duct or lobule in one of the breasts.

When breast cancer spreads into surrounding tissue it is called ‘invasive’. Some people are diagnosed with ‘carcinoma in situ’, where no cancer cells grow beyond the duct or lobule.

Most cases develop over the age of 50, but sometimes younger women can be affected. Although rare, breast cancer can also develop in men.

Staging shows how large the cancer is and whether it has spread. Stage 1 is the earliest stage, and stage 4 means the cancer has spread to another part of the body.

Cancerous cells are graded from low (i.e. slow growth) to high (rapid growth). Higher-grade cancers are more likely to come back after initial treatment.

What causes breast cancer?

A cancerous tumor starts from an abnormal cell. The exact reason why a cell becomes cancerous is unclear. It is thought that something damages or changes certain genes in the cell. This makes the cell abnormal and proliferates ‘out of control’.

Although breast cancer can develop for no apparent reason, there are some risk factors, such as genetics, that can increase the chances.

What are the symptoms of breast cancer?

Although most are noncancerous and are benign fluid-filled cysts, the usual first symptom is a painless lump in the breast.

The first place breast cancer usually spreads is the lymph nodes under the armpit. In such a case, a swelling or lump will occur in your armpit.

How is breast cancer diagnosed?

• Initial evaluation: The doctor examines the breasts and armpits. They may perform tests that may indicate the possibility of a tumor, such as a mammogram, a special X-ray of the breast tissue.
• Biopsy: A biopsy is the removal of a small sample of tissue from a part of the body. The sample is then examined under a microscope to look for abnormal cells. The sample can confirm or rule out cancer.

If you are confirmed to have breast cancer, more tests may be needed to evaluate whether it has spread. For example, blood tests, ultrasound scan of the liver or chest x-ray.

How is breast cancer treated?

Treatment options that may be considered include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormone therapy. Often a combination of two or more of these treatments is used.

• Surgery: Breast-conserving surgery or removal of the affected breast, depending on the size of the tumor.
• Radiotherapy: It is a treatment that uses high-energy radiation beams focused on cancerous tissue. This kills cancer cells or stops them from multiplying. It is mainly used as an adjunct to surgery.
• Chemotherapy: Cancer treatment using anti-cancer drugs that kill cancer cells or prevent them from multiplying.
• Hormone treatments: Some types of breast cancer are affected by the ‘female’ hormone oestrogen, which can encourage cancer cells to divide and multiply. Treatments that reduce the level of these hormones or prevent them from working are widely used in breast cancer patients.

How successful is the treatment?

The outlook is best for people diagnosed when the cancer is still small and has not spread. Surgical removal of the tumor at an early stage may give a good chance of cure later.

Routine mammography offered to women aged 50-71 means more breast cancers are diagnosed and treated at an early stage.

For more information, visit breastcancernow.org or call the free helpline on 0808 800 6000.