A report by Swachh Bharat Mission says that 74.5 per cent of public places are equipped with toilets. Another report by the Ministry of Jal Shakti states that there are 2.23 lakh Community Sanitary Complexes built across all States and UTs under the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) since October 2014. Over 92 lakh toilets have been constructed since the launch of SBM Gramin (SBM (G)) in April 2020.

While toilets are there, are they accessible? This is the question one should ask. The National Family Health Survey (NFHS) focuses on 131 health indicators, but not until the NFHS 5 survey did they include the question of accessibility of toilets in the survey. This happened after the inputs from the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) and the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare questioned the accessibility.

One might ask, why is the question of accessibility so important? The answer is quite simple. Access to water, sanitation and hygiene is the most basic human need and is also included under the Sustainable Development Goals by the UN.

Are These Numbers Real?

This thought crossed my mind because back in 2021, I went on a solo trip, on a bus to Udaipur from Delhi. There, the bus made two stoppages. This was done so people could get a quick dinner and freshen up, relieve themselves and be prepared for the rest of the journey. This was a nightmare. The bus only stopped for 10 minutes. While some men used the washroom, others went to the bushes.

For the women, there were three cubicles. One of them was broken, and the other one did not have a light bulb, which meant only one was usable. There was a long queue for that cubicle, and time was short. There was no point in trying to find an isolated corner, because it was past midnight, in an unknown area.

I waited anxiously. When finally, my turn came, I saw an overused, dirty washroom. The toilet seat is in a horrible condition. I wanted to touch nothing there. But I had to pee. So, I used my mask to cover my nose from the odour, folded my pants so they did not touch the floor and squatted. It was quite a task to balance.

On my way back to Delhi, I made sure to not drink any water for over a 13-hour bus journey. I dehydrated myself so I did not have to use the washroom. When I did reach, I was severely dehydrated and was sick for three days.

I shared my experience with my friends only to realise that many women have faced the same. There are no washrooms for women.

A friend of mine told me that it is because these roads and dhabas are mainly designed to serve men. They are the ones who travel at night or are on the roads most of the time. As a result, the few women who do travel or are on the road suffer.

Health Risks Women Are Prone To

Well, it is true, but partially. While holding your pee for too long can lead to health risks, peeing on a dirty toilet seat cannot lead to infections unless your urethra is in contact with the bacteria present on that toilet seat. However, nobody wants to sit on a dirty toilet seat, even if you do not get an infection. A safe and hygienic toilet is a basic need.

One of the regular saleswomen, Usha, who visits my house shared her experience with me. “Being on the road constantly means I must use the dirty public washrooms. But I do not want to use them. So, sometimes I ask my regular customers to let me use their washrooms. Some say yes, and some say no. I understand they are also concerned about their safety and privacy,” she says. As a result, Usha spends most of her day not drinking enough water and holding her pee when she is at work. Due to this, she also suffered from a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI).

Her friend, Halima too faced similar problems and due to increased levels of uric acid in her body, she suffered from Hyperuricemia.

Other health risks are kidney stones and other kidney problems, headaches, dull skin, xerostomia or dry mouth, fatigue, and urinary incontinence, which means losing control over your pelvic floor muscles leading to uncontrolled leakage of urine, seizures and weakness.

What Can You Do?

Wear comfortable clothes and capris. Capri pants are comfortable and are short in length, which means this won’t touch the toilet floor when you squat or sit.

Carry Essentials

Even though you cannot get a UTI alone from sitting on a toilet seat, it is always safe to carry a toilet seat sanitiser. If nothing, it can help you get rid of the bad odour so you can use your stand and pee device inside the toilet. You can also use disposable toilet seat covers if your knees are weak, and you cannot squat. Always flush with your seat down.

Always keep disposable gloves, a portable bidet (fill it with water before use), a pocket liquid handwash, wet wipes, tissues and sanitiser handy. Do not forget to keep extra sanitary pads. It might sound a lot, but I promise that it all fits in one pouch. Use this travel-friendly pouch every time you are on the road, or using a public washroom.

What Can We Learn From Others?

However, in case we do not get these technologically advanced toilets here, you can always pack a travel-friendly toilet kit!

A stroke can be a life-changing event, not just for the patients but also for their family. As a complex neurological condition, it can affect a person’s physical abilities, communication and everyday independence, often bringing unforeseen challenges for both the patient and their loved ones.

While a stoke is often associated with paralysis, facial weakness or difficulty walking, its impact can extend far beyond body mobility. Depending on which part of the brain is affected, a stroke can change something as fundamental as the way a person eats, speaks, swallows or even breathes.

These changes can be frightening for both the patient and family. Someone who was eating normally may suddenly cough while drinking water. A person who spoke fluently may struggle to find words or produce clear speech. In more severe cases, problems with swallowing can allow food or liquid to enter the airway, creating the risk of serious respiratory complications.

Understanding these changes is an important part of stroke recovery because they are not simply inconveniences, but functions that can directly affect nutrition, communication, safety and independence.

When Eating Is No Longer Simple

Eating involves a surprisingly complex sequence of movements. The brain must coordinate the muscles of the face, tongue, throat and oesophagus to move food safely from the mouth into the stomach.

A stroke can disrupt this coordination, resulting in dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing. A person may cough or choke while eating, take much longer to finish a meal, have a wet or gurgly voice after drinking, or feel that food is getting stuck.

This is common after stroke. A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis found that post-stroke dysphagia affected approximately 46.6% of patients overall.

What may look like a simple difficulty with eating can have serious consequences. If food or liquid enters the airway instead of the oesophagus, it can lead to aspiration and potentially pneumonia. In an Indian meta-analysis, dysphagia was reported in approximately 47.7% of stroke patients, while pneumonia occurred in around 20.4%.

This is why swallowing should be assessed after a stroke rather than assuming that a patient can safely eat and drink as before.

When Speech Becomes Difficult

Speech and language are different functions, and a stroke can affect either or both.

Some people develop aphasia, where they may know what they want to say but struggle to find the right words, understand language, read or write. Others may develop dysarthria, where the language itself may be intact but weakness or poor coordination of the speech muscles comprised of larynx, tongue, and vocal tract, make their speech incoherent.

For families, this can sometimes be misunderstood as confusion or lack of understanding. A person may appear unable to respond when they may understand everything but be unable to express themselves.

Patience becomes essential. Giving the person time to respond, speaking clearly, avoiding finishing their sentences and using gestures or writing when needed can make communication less frustrating.

Speech and language rehabilitation can also play an important role in recovery.

When Breathing Can Also Be Affected

Breathing is something we rarely think about until it becomes difficult. Yet the brain plays an important role in regulating breathing, while the muscles of the throat and chest help maintain a clear and protected airway.

A stroke can interfere with this system, particularly when it affects areas involved in swallowing, airway protection or respiratory control. Difficulty managing saliva, weak coughing and aspiration can all increase the risk of respiratory complications.

Importantly, breathing problems after stroke do not always present as obvious breathlessness. Repeated coughing during meals, changes in voice after swallowing, excessive secretions or recurrent chest infections may sometimes indicate that material is entering the airway.

Recognising these signs early can help doctors and rehabilitation teams intervene before complications become more serious.

Recovery Is More Than Regaining Movement

Stroke rehabilitation is often associated with physiotherapy and learning to walk again. While mobility is extremely important, recovery needs to look at the person as a whole.

A patient may regain strength but still struggle to eat safely or communicate effectively. This is why stroke care can involve neurologists, physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, dietitians, occupational therapists and other rehabilitation professionals, depending on the patient's needs.

Swallowing assessments, speech therapy, dietary modifications and targeted rehabilitation can help patients gradually regain function and confidence.

What Families Should Not Ignore

Families are often the first to notice subtle changes after a stroke. Coughing during meals, prolonged eating times, a change in voice after drinking, unclear speech, difficulty finding words or repeated chest infections should not simply be dismissed as part of ageing or weakness after stroke.

These signs deserve medical attention.

Recovery from stroke is not always a straight line. Some functions may improve quickly, while others require months of rehabilitation and continued support. What matters is recognising the problem early and addressing it appropriately.

Looking Beyond Paralysis

A stroke does not only affect how a person moves. It can change how they communicate, eat, swallow and protect their airway functions that are central to independence and quality of life.

For families, understanding these changes can replace fear with awareness. For patients, timely assessment and rehabilitation can help turn seemingly overwhelming challenges into manageable steps towards recovery.

The goal after a stroke is not simply to help a person walk again. It is to help them eat safely, communicate confidently, breathe comfortably and regain as much independence as possible.

(By Dr. Vaibhav Seth, Consultant - Neurology, Manipal Hospital, Kolkata)

The Times Network India Health Summit 2026 brought together policymakers, clinicians, researchers and healthcare industry leaders to discuss the future of India's healthcare system, with conversations spanning medical innovation, access to treatment, mental health, women's health and preventive care.

The third edition of the Times Network India Health Summit & Awards was held in New Delhi on October 28 under the theme, The Blueprint for a Future-Ready Healthcare Ecosystem: Innovation. Access. Self-Reliance.

From the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in diagnostics to advances in fertility treatment and the need to strengthen public health infrastructure, various sessions explored several aspects of how healthcare delivery could evolve. Here are the key discussions and takeaways from the summit.

Anupriya Patel Highlights India's Healthcare Priorities Including Ayushman Bharat Coverage

Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel addressed the summit on building a future-ready healthcare ecosystem. With around 500 Ayushman Bharat cards issued, Patel also said that 132.5 million people had received free treatment under the scheme.

She said, "Anupriya Patel said that under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, eligible beneficiaries are entitled to free treatment worth up to Rs 5 lakh. Around 500 million Ayushman cards have been issued under the scheme, and 132.5 million people have benefited from it to receive free treatment."

She also addressed India's Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, stating that Union health budget increased from around Rs 37,000 crore in 2014 to more than Rs 1.06 lakh crore.

She said, "India is moving forward with a very big goal. Viksit Bharat in 2047. So, when we want to stand in the category of developed countries of the world, it is necessary that our citizens can contribute to this resolution with their full strength."

Also read: Infertility Affects 1 In 6 Couples: Experts Highlight Age, IVF Costs & Male Fertility At Times Health Summit 2026

Delhi Health Minister Dr. Pankaj Singh Addressed Air Pollution Crisis

Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Singh answered key questions about the city’s looming air pollution crisis. He said that the government's various pollution-control measures, including electric vehicle (EV) policy can help fight it. He also spoke about the need for long-term solutions. “Hamari sarkar short term par nahi chalti,” Singh said

"Our focus is on long-term solutions. Our policy on EV can help tackle pollution crisis. As more and more people start using electric vehicles, transport-related pollution will come under control."

Turning to healthcare infrastructure, Singh announced that the Delhi government plans to open four new hospitals in the capital by January.

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) AYUSH Prataprao Jadhav, Madhya Pradesh Minister of State Narendra Shivaji Patel and Uttarakhand Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal, were also scheduled to address different aspects of healthcare policy and delivery.

Padma Bhushan Dr S K Sarin On Liver Health

Padma Bhushan Dr Shiv Kumar Sarin, leading hepatologist, gastroenterologist, and medical educator who also serves as the Senior Professor, Chancellor, and Director of the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS), recently spoke about the dos and don’ts to maintain a healthy liver at the Times Health Summit 2026.

From ideal breakfast time to late night eating, the expert spoke about common lifestyle mistakes people make that could worsen their liver health.

Dr Sarin said, "Obesity during youth increases the risk of heart disease later in life. After the age of 40, eating one meal a day may have health implications. The total daily calorie intake should not exceed 300–400. Avoid eating late at night."

Also read: Unspoken Side Of Breast Cancer: Experts Discuss Recurrence Risk, Emotional Toll & Societal Impact At Times Health Summit 2026

Need For Investment In Ayurveda & AYUSH Sector

The session From Tradition to Therapeutics: The New Science of AYUSH was based on the role of traditional medicine in India's healthcare landscape.

Dr Biswaroop Roy Chowdhury, Founder of BRC Clinics Health, and Dr Tanmay Goswami, Founder of GOSVAL, discussed Ayurveda, its potential applications and questions surrounding its integration with modern medicine.

The speakers spoke about Ayurveda’s scientific research, evidence, AYUSH funding, clinical applications and integration with western medicine. The experts said that Ayurveda sector is valued at approximately $17–18 billion, while China's traditional medicine sector is estimated at around $30 billion, calling for greater investment in the sector.

Dr Chowdhury said, "Ayurveda is fastest, safest and works faster even in medical emergencies and trauma".

Mental Health: Suicide Risk, Screen Addiction & More

Mental healthcare was another focus, with Dr Deepak Kumar, Professor and Head of the Department of Psychiatry at the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS), discussing The Next Frontier in Indian Psychiatry: Specialization, Geriatric Mental Health, and De-addiction Strategies.

The doctor discussed immediate threat of suicidal thoughts, warning behavioural signs, screen addiction and need for parents to supervise and limit screen use in children.

He said, "If we look at the numbers in our country, the total proportion is alarming. For example, the national mental health survey shows a lifetime prevalence of 13.7%. One in every 5 people has some psychological issue. Suicide statistics show 12 per lakh. Top 3 causes of death in young adults - one of them is suicide."

Also read: Leading Gastroenterologist Padma Bhushan Dr S K Sarin Shares Dos & Don’ts For Healthy Liver At Times Health Summit 2026

Aftermath Of Breast Cancer Diagnosis & Treatment

Women's health was featured prominently at the summit, with the knowledge session Take Charge Together: Shaping a Future of Greater Breast Cancer Awareness and Better Outcomes.

The session featured Dr Meenu Walia, Chairman of Medical Oncology at Max Healthcare; Vaishali Iyer, Country Head of Communications, Patient Advocacy and CSR at Novartis in India; and Dr Pankaj Goyal, Senior Consultant and Unit Head of Medical Oncology at Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute.

Dr Meenu Walia said, "Your first attempt at treatment is your best attempt."

The experts focused on the risk of recurrence, the emotional toll of breast cancer treatment, financial and societal hardships, body image issues, intimacy problems and other challenges patients face after leaving the hospital.

Dr Priya Parmar said, "Some unsaid things she faces are relationship issues, intense fatigues, post-menopausal symptoms, loss of a body part, loss of body image and your sense of self. Breasts are associated with femininity. And when you lose that, your attitude changes, intimacy issues come up, you don't know who to talk to."

"With latest advancements, the chance of recurrence has come down." He emphasised that patient-doctor relationship is also very important. "I contradict the patient in most cases so that they are in the same platform," Dr Pankaj said.

Fertility Treatment And Parenthood

The panel The Fertility Revolution: Reimagining Parenthood in Modern India spoke about the evolving field of reproductive medicine and the challenges faced by people seeking fertility treatment.

The speakers included Dr Ranjana Sharma, Senior Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital; Dr Vimal Grover, Senior Director of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Fortis LaFemme; Dr Hrishikesh Pai, Founder and Managing Director of Bloom IVF India; and Dr Abha Majumdar, Emeritus Consultant in IVF and Human Reproduction at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.

The session brought attention to fertility preservation, IVF costs, male infertility, stigma women face, and the judgments that come with seeking IVF for starting a family.

Dr. Majumdar highlighted four major observations on the revolutionary trajectory of IVF. She said, "There is reproductive autonomy. Girls now can choose when they want to have a child or whether they want to have a child - but freezing your eggs is not a guarantee its only insurance."

Dr. Vimal Grover weighed in, highlighting growing infertility crisis in the country. Dr. Grover said, "One in six couples is infertile."

Dr. Ranjana Sharma said that women single-handedly carry the onus of fertility. She said, "There's not much doubt about it. Whatever we say, the woman is considered to be at fault. More and more men are getting aware about this so we make it a point to see them together so that they take ownership of the problem. With education things are changing, there's a long way to go. But we need to impress upon them that she is not the only partner in the game and they have a role to play. Once we explain to them, they understand."

Also read: Experts Discuss Ayurveda For Treating Lifestyle Disorders, Medical Emergencies & Trauma At Times Health Summit 2026

Why Menopause Is A Long-Overlooked Health Issue

The session From Silence to Care: Why India Can No Longer Ignore Menopause focused on menopause and the need to bring greater attention to women's health during midlife.

The session was led by Sanjith Shetty, Founder and CEO of Miror. He spoke about the suicide rates among menopausal women, along with other life challenges like divorces, retirements, and social isolation.

Shetty said, "The highest rate of suicide in women is during the menopause period. During this time, their is a surge in the number of divorces, women feel isolated in their own houses, they are forced to quit work because they have no energy. This should not be overlooked."

Digging Deeper Into Longevity Science

The fireside chat From LifeSpan to HealthSpan: Can Science Help Us Live Longer and Better? explored the science of longevity and the difference between living longer and maintaining good health for more years.

The conversation featured Dr Chirantan Bose and Dr Preetesh Bhandari, founders of Vytalyou. They spoke about the importance of maintaining muscle health, monitoring neurological health, and warding off lifestyle diseases like obesity and diabetes.

"Ageing is basically the soil on which diseases happen. So, if we master the art of treating the soil, we know we have come a long way."

Other Sessions

The role of technology in modern medicine was explored in Precision Diagnostics: AI, Genomics & The New Era Of Personalized Care. The panel featured Dr Arjun Dang, CEO and Partner at Dr Dangs Lab; Dr Manish Vaish, Director and Head of the Institute of Neurosciences at Medanta, Noida; and Dr Belal Bin Asaf, Director of the Institute of Chest Surgery, Chest Onco-Surgery and Lung Transplant at Medanta, Noida.

The discussion focused on the evolving role of artificial intelligence and genomics in diagnostics, personalised treatment and improving diagnostic accuracy.

Dr, Vaish explained, "When I am doing a surgery in the OT, I actually perform the surgery before doing it. That is a generative AI. When I use the help of a robot, that is assistive AI."

The future of specialised medical services was examined in The Next Frontier of Advanced Care: Scaling Capacity, Innovation & Clinical Excellence. The session brought together Dr V.S. Chauhan, Chairman and Managing Director of Prakash Hospitals and Institutions, and Prof. Dr Sanjeev Bagai, Chairman of Nephron Clinic.

The discussion centred on expanding advanced healthcare capacity, strengthening clinical excellence and leveraging innovation and technology to improve patient outcomes while making specialised treatment more accessible.

"AI can be a two edge sword that we need to use judiciously." Both the experts emphasised that AI is helping a lot but needs to be wisely used. Dr Bagai also spoke about how AI is "dominating" the social media world and causing cognitive disfunction in children. "So, we need to be careful."

Addressing the challenges of equitable healthcare delivery, Reengineering Public Health Infrastructure: Last-Mile Delivery, Digital Health Equity, and Rural Access brought together Dr Anoop Saraya of the Institute of Liver & Biliary Sciences; Dr Charu Dutt Arora of AmeriHealth Home Healthcare, Asian Institute of Medical Sciences; Dr Gyanendra Kumar of Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences; Girish Krishnamurthy, CEO of Tata Medical & Diagnostics; and Dr Jyoti Wadhwa of Apollo Athenaa Women's Cancer Centres.

The session focused on strengthening public health infrastructure, improving rural and last-mile access, and exploring the role of digital health and healthcare delivery models in bridging gaps in access to medical services.

Dr Dutt said, "When it comes to empowering any nursing staff, AI is very powerful. The risk is avoided at quality is given."

List Of Awardees At The Times Network India Health Summit 2026

NISHA HEALTH CARE27Excellence in Holistic Sexual Wellness & CareDr. Anita Shyam28Service Excellence in Ayurveda Infertility CareVedaNova29Excellence in Clinical Psychology & Mental HealthcareDr Moumita Nandy30Excellence in Bone Cancer Implants and Joints Replacement SolutionsShagun Cares India Pvt. Ltd31Strategic Association & Valued ContributionOnextel Communication Media32Distinguished Contribution to Medicine and HealthcareDr Mohsin Ali, Padma Shri33Lifetime Achievement in Medical Science and Public Health LeadershipDr N. K. Ganguly, Padma Bhushan34Outstanding Contribution to Maternal and Child NutritionDr Arun Gupta35Lifetime Achievement in Liver Care and TransplantationDr. Arvinder Singh Soin

Rankings

As India’s healthcare landscape rapidly transforms through medical innovation, cutting-edge infrastructure, and patient-centric care, the Times Network India Health Summit & Awards 2026 celebrated the premier institutions, group healthcare networks, and single-specialty chains defining the benchmark of medical excellence nationwide.

The national survey evaluated institutions across a multi-stage methodology factoring in clinical parameters, infrastructural quality, patient outcomes, and peer recommendations across national, zonal, and city tiers. Below are the key award highlights and survey rankings unveiled during the ceremony.

Partner Details:

In association with – Onextel Communication Media

Co – Powered By - Novartis

Supported By - Health and Me

West Outdoor Partner – SIMCA

North Outdoor Partner – Heights Outdoor

Automobile Partner - Volvo

The journey of a breast cancer patient does not end when their treatment comes to a conclusion. There is always a risk of recurrence, which makes regular follow-ups and adherence to treatment important.

At the Times Network India Health Summit and Awards 2026 in New Delhi, a panel formed by Dr Priya Parmar, Chief Operating Officer, Indian Cancer Society, Delhi, Dr. Jyoti Wadhwa - Principal Lead of Medical and Precision Oncology, Apollo Athena Women’s Cancer Centres, New Delhi and Apollo Hospital, Gurgaon, Dr. Meenu Walia, Chairman Medical Oncology, Max Healthcare, Dr Pankaj Goyal, Sr Consultant and Unit Head, Medical Oncology, RGCI, and Vaishali Iyer, Country Head, Communications, Patient Advocacy and CSR, Novartis in India, discussed the big picture after breast cancer treatment.

During a panel discussion titled “Take Charge Together: Shaping a Future of Greater Breast Cancer Awareness and Better Outcomes,” experts highlighted the physical, emotional, social and financial challenges that women may continue to face after treatment among many more.

What Comes After Breast Cancer Treatment?

For many women, the period after breast cancer can involve more than medical monitoring. They may face fatigue, menopausal symptoms and changes in body image after undergoing a major physical change, while concerns about intimacy, fertility and relationships can affect emotional and mental well-being.

Dr. Priya Parmar highlighted how losing a breast or hair can affect a woman's sense of identity and femininity. Some survivors also face social stigma related to marriage and fertility, while sexual health and relationship concerns may remain difficult to discuss.

The burden can be greater for women who lack family support or have limited financial resources. These circumstances may affect not only emotional recovery but also their ability to attend follow-up appointments and continue treatment.

The financial strain can become particularly difficult if cancer returns and further investigations or treatment are required.

Dr. Meenu Walia said that treatment for advanced disease can add to the economic burden faced by patients and their families.

Also read: Vanessa Trump Recovers From 'Very Invasive' Breast Cancer, Reveals Early Sign Of The Disease

Risk Of Recurrence

The risk of breast cancer recurrence is not the same for every patient. It depends on the cancer's stage and subtype, tumour grade, lymph node involvement, response to treatment and whether treatment is timely.

Dr. Jyoti Wadhwa explained that different breast cancer subtypes can follow different recurrence patterns.

Triple-negative breast cancer tends to recur earlier, often within the first two to three years after treatment. Hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer, however, can return even 10 to 20 years later.

She also said that patients who achieve a pathological complete response after treatment given before surgery may have a lower risk of recurrence than those with residual disease.

However, a lower estimated risk does not mean the risk is eliminated. Continued monitoring is important even for patients who have responded well to treatment.

Also read: Beyond the Lump: Overlooked Breast Cancer Symptoms That Can Delay Diagnosis

Feeling Better Is Not A Reason To Skip Follow-Ups

One concern raised by the experts was that some patients stop taking prescribed oral hormone therapy or miss appointments after their symptoms improve.

“Your first attempt at treatment is always your best attempt,” Dr. Walia said, underlining the importance of appropriate diagnosis and treatment from the outset.

Follow-up care helps doctors monitor a patient's recovery, assess treatment-related effects and make decisions based on individual clinical circumstances. The appropriate schedule and any further treatment depend on the patient's diagnosis, risk profile and medical history.

Experts also cautioned against allowing the possibility of recurrence to dominate a survivor's life. Understanding individual risk should help patients make informed decisions, rather than leave them in constant fear that cancer will return.

Post-Treatment Care Needs More Than Medical Monitoring

The long-term effects of breast cancer also have implications beyond the individual patient. Vaishali Iyer, Country Head of Communications, Patient Advocacy and CSR at Novartis in India, highlighted an estimated 140 million productive hours lost due to breast cancer care, drawing attention to its wider economic impact.

Dr. Wadhwa emphasised the need to address treatment-related concerns, including menopausal symptoms and bone health, which may require attention even after primary cancer treatment has ended.

Dr. Pankaj Goyal, Senior Consultant and Unit Head of Medical Oncology at RGCI, stressed that doctors must build trust with patients and explain recurrence risks without causing unnecessary alarm. Discussions about care should also account for patients' personal circumstances and financial constraints.

The panel discussion, titled “Take Charge Together: Shaping a Future of Greater Breast Cancer Awareness and Better Outcomes,” took place at the Times Network India Health Summit and Awards 2026.