Telugu superstar Hamsa Nandini opens up about her battle with cancer, says “she refuses to quit”

The ‘C’ word sends shivers down the spine of the strongest of people. Their world comes crashing down — despite advances in medical technology, there is a perception that this disease is ultimately associated with death. It also leaves a debilitating impact on the minds of the patients.

But there are some, who take it up as a challenge and march forward despite the obstacles. They take it in their stride and emerge stronger than ever, inspiring other cancer survivors to follow suit. One such name is Telugu actress Hamsa Nandini, who has featured in popular films like Mirchi and Legend!

In an Instagram post, she opened up about her battle with cancer, and what she has been going through. Here’s what she wrote, “No matter what life throws at me, no matter how unfair it may seem, I refuse to play the victim. I refuse to be ruled by fear, pessimism, and negativity. I refuse to quit. With courage and love, I will push forward.

Check out the post for yourself:

Dealing with the struggles

Nandini shared how it was about four months ago when she felt a tiny lump in her breast. That discovery did make her feel very unsettled, because she had lost her mother to a “dreadful disease” and since then, lived under its “dark shadow.”

Also, read: Breast cancer survivor to fitness entrepreneur: The story of Cheryl Kire Achumi

Without any delay, she headed straight to a mammography clinic to get the lump checked. She describes the ordeal, “I was asked to immediately meet up with a surgical oncologist who suggested that I needed a biopsy. The biopsy confirmed all my fears and I was diagnosed with a grade III invasive carcinoma (breast cancer).”

After a plethora of scans and tests, she was taken in for surgery, and her tumour was removed. The doctors confirmed that the cancer hadn’t spread elsewhere in Nandini’s body, and it was a silver lining that she had detected it early.

But it didn’t end there…

Her relief was short-lived, since she tested positive for BRCA1 (hereditary breast cancer). This meant that she had a genetic mutation that almost guarantees that she would have a 70% chance of another breast cancer, and a 45% chance of ovarian cancer in her life.

“The only way to mitigate the risk is through some very extensive prophylactic surgeries, which I need to undergo before I can claim victory. Currently, I have already undergone 9 cycles of chemotherapy, with seven more to go,” she shared.

A role model for many cancer survivors

Even after undergoing these trials and tribulations, Nandini’s indomitable spirit is worth applauding. In her Instagram post, she spoke about how she has made some promises to herself.

“I will NOT let this disease define my life, and that I will fight it with a smile and win. I will get back on screen better and stronger. I will tell my story so that I can help educate and inspire others, and I will consciously celebrate life and all it has to offer,” she concluded.

We wish this braveheart a healthy and hearty recovery!