Nine years have passed since the day Anchal Sharma, a Delhi-based entrepreneur, felt a lump in her left breast. Little did she know then that it would be the start of a year-long battle to get her breast cancer diagnosis.
It was in 2016 when Anchal discovered a small lump in her breast. “It was about the size of a peanut,” she recalled, adding that at the time, there was no pain or discomfort—nothing that raised any alarms. In fact, when she lost weight, she thought it was because of her weight training session. While the thought of breast cancer did pass her mind then, she assumed it to be a benign lump or a fibroid, since her mother had had one for over 45 years. Even so, she consulted a number of doctors, who reassured her that it wasn’t cancer, which led to a sense of overconfidence, she said.
However, deep down, Anchal knew something was off…
Doctors Said Cancer Before 40 Was Rare
It is commonly believed that being young often means being healthy and free from chronic diseases. However, cancer challenges this assumption by being unpredictable. People often associate cancer with older age, as the risk generally increases with age. However, cancer can affect young people too.
In Anchal’s case, her doctors dismissed her initial symptoms and assured her that breast cancer before the age of 40 was rare, so she shouldn’t worry. “That gave me a bit of overconfidence, I would say,” she said. “But somewhere deep down, I felt uneasy.”
Dr Ashish Upadhyay, Consultant—Medical Oncology, Fortis Hospital, Anandapur, Kolkata, said, "Cancer before 40 is relatively less common, but it's not unheard of." He noted that less than 10% of breast cancer is present before 40, and the incidence is increasing.
According to him, it is not advisable to dismiss possible breast cancer symptoms like a tiny lump just because the patient is young. Instead, he emphasised that any breast changes, regardless of age, should be evaluated by a doctor, as early detection is crucial for successful treatment.
"Young women typically begin mammograms at 40, but those with higher risk, such as family history or genetic mutations, may start breast cancer screening earlier, around 25, with annual Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the breast."
When Symptoms Began To Escalate
It was in 2016 when Anchal discovered a lump in her breast. But only a year later did doctors confirm her breast cancer diagnosis.
By that time, the lump had begun to spread from one corner to the middle of her breast. By early 2017, her condition had worsened. “I was losing weight, had to give up sports, couldn’t move my arm properly, and my breast size was changing. Eventually, my nipple inverted—that’s when I got really concerned,” she recalled.
Despite raising concerns with her doctor, her requests for tests like a mammogram were repeatedly dismissed. “I kept asking if we should get it checked, but he would brush it off,” she said. And unfortunately, Anchal lost crucial time, and the delay proved costly.
It was only after coming across a Facebook post listing breast cancer symptoms—many of which matched her own—that Anchal realised the urgency. That’s when she panicked. A friend noticed something was wrong, and when she finally opened up, he cancelled his work trip and booked a mammogram appointment for her the next day.
The results confirmed an advanced stage of breast cancer.
Understanding Advanced Breast Cancer
“Metastatic breast cancer, also called advanced breast cancer, is cancer that’s spread from the breast to other areas of the body,” explained Dr Upadhyay. Studies suggest that approximately 5-10% of patients present with upfront metastasis, and an additional 20-30% may develop metastases during follow-up.
Right now, there isn’t a cure for metastatic breast cancer. Healthcare providers focus on treatments that cause the fewest possible side effects. Specific treatments for metastatic breast cancer include:
- Chemotherapy
- Hormone therapy
- Immunotherapy
- Targeted therapy
Since metastatic breast cancer often spreads to more than one area, healthcare providers typically don’t recommend surgery; however, they may suggest surgery to ease specific symptoms. shared Dr Upadhyay, adding that the problem with breast cancer before 40 is that it's more common in females with a family history of breast and ovarian cancer, and it's aggressive and needs to be treated aggressively.
In Anchal’s case, she had stage 3 advanced breast cancer, which typically refers to breast cancer that has spread beyond the breast itself, reaching nearby lymph nodes, chest wall, or skin of the breast, but has not spread to distant organs in the body.
Looking back, she believes that her cancer was at an early stage when she first noticed the lump, but by the time she was diagnosed, it was at an advanced stage already.
Why Early Detection, Awareness, And Education Around Cancer Is Crucial
Anchal recalled the moment she first received the diagnosis, saying, “When the doctor said ‘cancer,’ I blanked out. I couldn’t hear anything else.” Despite this initial shock, she found hope in the words of her doctor, who tried to comfort her by saying that there were survivors even at the last stage.
It is then when Anchal emphasised the importance of early detection, noting that many people delay screenings out of fear. “That’s the biggest issue. We’re not educated enough about cancer,” she explained, adding that people tend to normalise diseases like diabetes, while cancer is met with a different kind of fear.
She also pointed out the emotional burden attached to the diagnosis: “There’s still a stigma, especially for young, unmarried individuals. Families often try to hide it... it’s heartbreaking because instead of focusing on saving the person’s life, the concern shifts to their future partner.”
Anchal strongly advocated for changing societal attitudes and better education and awareness about cancer, especially among young individuals, suggesting it be included in school curriculums. “We need to educate people so that if they are diagnosed, they know it’s not the end."
According to Dr Upadhyay, early detection of breast cancer significantly increases the chance of survival by allowing for treatment when the cancer is small and hasn't spread, leading to more effective and less invasive treatment options. This ultimately improves a patient's prognosis; it is considered the most effective way to combat breast cancer.
Early detection includes doing monthly breast self-exams and scheduling regular clinical breast exams and mammograms.
Choosing Resilience Over Self-Pity
Even before cancer happened, Anchal had had a turbulent life.
At just 24, she lost her sister in a murder case, and her family house was demolished. She was also the sole breadwinner of the house before and during her cancer diagnosis. "Life was never easy," she said, but these experiences made her resilient.
“I believe God was with me,” she said.
When she was diagnosed with cancer, Anchal initially broke down, asking, “Why me?” But after 24 hours of tears, she decided to fight. “I told myself, ‘You’re not the only one. Many people are fighting this.’” In that moment, she chose to fight, without self-pity.
Throughout her treatment, she kept up a normal front at home, going through mammograms, PET scans, and blood tests in silence. It wasn’t until after her brother’s wedding that she told her family, right before surgery to implant the chemo port. For Anchal, this fight wasn’t just about her—it was about sparing her family the pain she’d already endured.
Building A Community Of Hope With CanHeal
When cancer strikes, people need more than empty assurances; they need more than just medical help, and this realisation also struck Anchal during her own treatment. CanHeal was born out of this idea to address the emotional and practical challenges cancer patients face. It offers a range of products and resources aimed at healing the body, mind, and spirit of a cancer fighter.
According to the CanHeal website, ‘Can’ represents the power to achieve whatever one wants through will and resolution, and ‘Heal’ represents the power of healing through positive affirmation.
Through CanHeal, Anchal has created a community where cancer warriors can find strength, comfort, and hope, and their caregivers can find support during difficult times. It is a safe space where people can come together, share their journeys, seek guidance, and most importantly, feel understood.
—
Anchal Sharma's story shows how important it is to detect cancer early and go with your gut feeling. Misdiagnosed for a year, her advanced breast cancer diagnosis underscores the importance of awareness, especially among young people and doctors. Anchal's initiative, CanHeal, further demonstrates her commitment to supporting others battling cancer, offering hope and a sense of community.