How a beloved community grandma overcame cancer

One afternoon during our regular field visits to the Tuljapur block in Dharashiv district of Maharashtra, we were discussing schemes available for women to establish their small micro-enterprises. 

Later, my colleague Rasika and I spoke of how these women could make healthy lifestyle choices. I took the opportunity to speak about Mission Anandi, TRI’s flagship programme with the district administration for health screening of females aged 30 years and above for common non-communicable diseases and anaemia. 

From the group, came a voice informing me about how these women had proactively screened themselves under ‘Mission Anandi’. This voice belonged to one of the members, who also happened to be an ASHA worker.  

Then, out of the blue, somebody mentioned the name of Saru aaji (grandmother in Marathi). Every woman’s face in the group reflected pride. Someone suggested that we call and meet her and the ASHA worker dialled her number.

Upon probing, we understood that Sarubai aaji was diagnosed with cancer of the endometrium. This elderly woman from the village showed great courage in the way she travelled to the district hospital, to two other cancer specialty hospitals in the neighbouring district and then to Pune to get herself treated for cancer over four months. 

This strengthened our resolve to meet Saru aaji, which we did in her home.

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A sinister disease tests a valiant warrior 

Saru aaji, who is in her sixties, had reached menopause a few years ago. After menopause, when she spotted vaginal bleeding, she knew it was not normal, but still kept ignoring it. When the ASHA worker informed her about Mission Anandi, she promptly visited the sub-centre and got herself screened by the Community Health Officer (CHO). 

On examination, the CHO noticed bleeding from the vagina upon the slightest touch and called her after five days when our team was visiting the Sub Health Centre for a camp. The CHO informed TRI about Saru aaji, so the team called her up for screening. 

The ASHA worker informed TRI about her suffering from conjunctivitis, so we asked the CHO to give her a referral slip and immediately ask her to visit the Sub-District Hospital (SDH) or the District Hospital (DH) for further examination by a gynaecologist. 

Saru aaji visited DH Dharashiv in the first week of September and was examined by an oncologist after which she was operated upon. During her stay at DH Dharashiv, someone from her village visited her and on the pretext of caring for her, asked her to pay Rs 5000 for her treatment at the hospital. 

Fortunately, the ASHA worker was calling her every day to inquire about her health. The ASHA worker informed her that she did not need to pay anything at the government facility, and told her about Abdul Salim Shaikh, fondly called Dadabhai, a good samaritan from the village who has settled now in the Dharashiv district. 

If anybody from the village is admitted to hospital, Dadabhai makes sure the villagers have home-cooked food and fruits during their stay at the hospital to help them recover from their illness. 

Sarubai aaji recalled that during three days of her stay at the district hospital, Dadabhai visited her twice daily and brought tiffin, fruits and later also dropped her at the bus stand after she was discharged. 

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Treatment takes her out of the village

In early November of 2023, Saru aaji visited the Nargis Dutt Memorial Cancer Hospital in Barshi, Solapur almost 100 kms away, and undertook five cycles of chemotherapy. 

From there she was referred to Pune for brachytherapy, which she did by visiting Pune with her husband. In Pune she stayed at her son’s place and recollected how she used to change buses and walk from there to the hospital’s daycare centre to undergo treatment and then take the same bus back to her son’s place. 

Her husband, Laxman Kanade, was with her throughout her treatment. We decided to ask him about his thoughts. He was quick to respond, “We had lost our daughter-in-law to cancer a few years ago,” he said. 

Back then we weren’t aware of any tests that could be done near our village. So when my wife was diagnosed, we didn’t want to delay things and immediately sought treatment, even if it meant sacrificing our work in the fields.

I was also curious how it must have felt for Saru aaji to approach large medical establishments for treatment, even though she herself had seldom stepped out of her village.  Aaji was quick to correct me. Going down memory lane she recalled her childhood when her parents, who were blind, had set out on the Chardham pilgrimage during the 1970s. 

Enthusiastically she narrated how the pilgrimage had begun when she was in the first standard and when it ended, she was in class four! They had walked throughout this long pilgrimage. She recalled how they went to the capital where she had met the then Prime Minister of the country.

With child-like enthusiasm, she mentioned how she was in awe of the PM’s long-sleeved blouse and short hair. Saru aaji says her age is 65, but going by the narration of this incident, she must be in her late fifties or early sixties. 

After having the cup of tea she offered us while parting I asked her when her next follow-up was and she admitted it was earlier in the month and she had missed it. I immediately counselled her on the importance of follow-up to keep track of a relapse, if any. 

More about the cancer of the endometrium

Cancer of the endometrium mostly affects women of menopausal age. It is the seventh most common cancer among women globally. Though not so common in the subcontinent, India as a country is seeing a rise in the number of endometrium cancer cases, with 13328 new cases and 5010 deaths reported in 2018. 

Under the National Program for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD), all individuals aged above 30 years can avail of screening free of cost at the nearest health and wellness centre.

This case is very moving and sets an example for the community. The respect and love Saru aaji commands from villagers are the result of her buoyant spirit and the absence of fear despite facing a disease like cancer. 

The way she was able to navigate the entire treatment process is very impressive. 

Saru aaji’s victory over cancer demonstrates not just her own positive outlook – but also the role of a proactive public health system that was responsive towards someone who couldn’t afford treatment, community care and the crucial part her own family has played in ensuring she was on the road to recovery. 

Also Read: Rural women are unaware of the risk of breast cancer

Dr. Shirish Ghadi was working with Transform Rural India as Specialist (Health) in Maharashtra. 

Rasika Balge is a practitioner with TRI’s health team in Maharashtra. 

The lead image on top depicts the valiant Sarubai Laxman Kanade, or Saru Aaji as the community fondly calls the cancer survivor from Tirth Khurd in Maharashtra. (Photo courtesy Transform Rural India)