“When I first felt the lump, I thought it was just tiredness…” – The Story of Mrs. Sanamait Devi

“Main apne bachchon ke liye raat ka khana bana rahi thi,” recalls 55-year-old Mrs. Sanamait Devi from Itki, Ranchi. “Usi raat mere daayein stan mein ek chhoti si, hilne wali gaath mehsoos hui. Maine khud se kaha — shayad kamzori hogi… apne aap theek ho jayegi.”

Life had already tested her enough. She had lost her husband five years ago. Soon after, her only son also passed away. Today, she lives with her widowed daughter-in-law and her younger daughter, Ritika, who, despite being just 20 and newly married, stands by her mother like a pillar of strength.

But the lump did not go away. She kept silent. The swelling grew. Worried, Sanamait finally went to a local doctor. “Doctor, yeh gaath badh raha hai, jata hi nahi, kuch khatara toh nahi hai na” she said, pointing to her right breast.

He gave her medicines. Even sent her for an X-ray. But there was no diagnosis nor any improvement. Six months passed. Eventually, she went to a nearby hospital.

“Operation karna hoga,” the doctor said immediately after examination. The tumour was removed and sent for biopsy. The results confirmed what she feared but did not understand.

“Cancer hai… iske ilaaj ke liye bada hospital jaana padega,” the doctor said gently, referring her to Ranchi Cancer Hospital & Research Centre (RCHRC).

Holding her mother’s hand tightly, Ritika accompanied her to RCHRC, where they met Dr. Rajanigandha Tudu, Medical Oncologist.

By then, the cancer had already advanced. A CT scan confirmed it.

“Darna nahi hai,” Dr. Tudu reassured her. “Hum poora treatment karenge.”

Sanamait underwent 8 cycles of chemotherapy, followed by a second surgery by Dr. Amitesh Anand, Sr. Surgical Oncologist.

Then came 21 sessions of radiation therapy, which finally concluded in August 2025.

Just when they thought the toughest phase was over, the doctors suggested immunotherapy—a modern treatment that could significantly increase her chances of survival.

But it came with a cost beyond her imagination.

“Doctor saab, hum Gareeb kisan log hain... itna paisa kahan se laayenge?” she asked helplessly.

Government schemes did not cover immunotherapy. Their little savings were already exhausted during daughter’s marriage. That’s when hope returned—through Tata Trusts’ Individual Grant Programme.

Sanamait received ₹7.44 lakh in financial support through RCHRC, making her immunotherapy possible. Today, she continues her immunotherapy with renewed courage.

“Mujhe lagta hai bhagwan ne mujhe ek aur mauka diya hai,” she smiles softly. “Is baar main usse pakad ke rakhungi, pehle ki der der nahi karungi.”

Her daughter, Ritika Tirkey, attends every awareness session conducted by RCHRC.

“Aaj mujhe pata hai breast cancer ke matlab maut nahi—samay par pata chale aur ilaaj ho jaye toh jaan bach sakti hai,” she says confidently.

She now educates women in her community and neighbourhood, “Chup mat raho. Jitni jaldi bataoge, utni jaldi bachoge.”

Sanamait’s story is not just about treatment, but about courage, support, and second chances and behind that second chance stands the unwavering support of Tata Trusts.