The experience made Dubey realise how dangerous ignorance around cancer can be, especially among women. Soon after recovery, she trained in psychology to take up counselling. What started as informal conversations with patients soon turned into a full-fledged mission. Over the years, she conducted close to 500 awareness programmes in Nagpur and outside, including rural pockets of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.Her sessions focus on early detection, self-examination, understanding symptoms of breast and cervical cancer, and breaking the fear associated with diagnosis. “Cancer is 100 percent curable if detected early. But once you cross the third stage, options become very limited. Awareness is the only real protection,” she says.Dubey now works closely with oncologist Dr Saurabh Prasad, offering free counselling to patients before and after diagnosis. She guides patients through screening, mammography, surgery, treatment decisions and emotional recovery.Along with doctors, she co-founded an NGO which provides financial support to underprivileged cancer patients. The foundation helps cover consultation fees, medicines, tests, dressings and other essentials without discrimination. Regular donation drives support this work. The outreach also includes annual pink walks, free mammography camps and community meetings. Dubey notes a worrying trend of cancer cases appearing in younger age groups, sometimes even in women in their 20s. She believes awareness must begin at the college level, for both girls and boys, as lifestyle-related cancers among men are also rising.Now in her 60s, Dubey begins her day at the gym, follows a disciplined diet and maintains an active routine. “Fitness, food and mental strength kept me going,” she says. Supported by her family — husband, a daughter, two sons and grandchildren — Dubey continues to travel extensively, carrying a simple message: cancer is not the end, and informed action can save lives.Box STORIES OF HOPE, EARLY DETECTION Stories of resilience and recovery took centre stage on World Cancer Day as cancer survivors from Vidarbha shared their stories, underlining the life-saving importance of early diagnosis, timely treatment and a positive outlook.Vinayak Deshpande from Nagpur was diagnosed with colon cancer during a medical check-up at Dr Hedgewar Hospital in Sambhajinagar. Deshpande chose calm over panic. He underwent surgery in Nagpur in 2021 to remove the affected portion of the intestine, followed by multiple cycles of chemotherapy in 2022. Today, Deshpande says he is completely fit and has returned to an active life, including extensive travel. Deshpande believes mental strength and faith in treatment play a crucial role in recovery. He advises patients not to lose hope after diagnosis.Devendra Nathuram Devgan, a resident of Dharni in Amravati district, was diagnosed with intestinal cancer in 2019–20 during a check-up in Paratwada. After receiving guidance from a private hospital, he underwent surgery and five to seven cycles of chemotherapy. He has since recovered fully and no longer requires medication. Demonstrating remarkable determination, Devgan travels nearly 112 km on a motorcycle with his wife to Nagpur every three months for follow-up consultations. His message to fellow patients is one of optimism and courage, urging them to live without fear.Both survivors credited their recovery to early detection, disciplined treatment and consistent medical follow-ups. Their stories echo the broader message of World Cancer Day, that awareness, regular screening and timely medical intervention can turn a cancer diagnosis into a story of survival and renewed life.
