Cancer Survivor Turns Advocate: A Second Chance

Sunita Vinod Dubey, who received a stage 3 cancer diagnosis approximately a decade ago, now views her life as a renewed opportunity dedicated to a significant purpose. Initially unaware of cancer's complexities, Dubey, who owned a fitness center, evolved from a state of fear to becoming a prominent cancer awareness advocate in Nagpur. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, an experience that profoundly impacted her. Following an intensive treatment regimen that spanned several years, she emerged stronger, realizing the critical dangers of ignorance surrounding cancer, particularly for women.

Motivated by her journey, Dubey pursued psychology to offer counseling services. Her efforts, which began as informal discussions, developed into a mission to conduct close to 500 awareness programs across Nagpur and neighboring regions. These sessions emphasize early detection, self-examination techniques, recognizing symptoms of breast and cervical cancers, and dispelling the anxieties associated with diagnosis. Dubey collaborates closely with oncologist Dr. Saurabh Prasad, providing free counseling and support to patients throughout their screening, treatment, and recovery phases.

Together with medical professionals, Dubey co-founded a non-governmental organization dedicated to offering financial assistance to cancer patients from underprivileged backgrounds. This foundation covers essential costs such as consultations, medications, and medical tests, ensuring no one is denied support. Their outreach initiatives include annual awareness walks, free mammography camps, and community meetings. Dubey also noted a concerning rise in cancer cases among younger individuals, advocating for awareness to commence at the college level for both genders due to increasing lifestyle-related cancers in men. Survivors Vinayak Deshpande and Devendra Nathuram Devgan shared their own stories of recovery, underscoring the importance of early detection and mental fortitude.