Metastatic Breast Cancer Treatment in India

Ayaan Bhatia is a 42-year-old software...

Ayaan Bhatia is a 42-year-old software engineer and father of two young children. He was diagnosed with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer three years ago, a rare occurrence in men. After a mastectomy and chemotherapy, he was in remission for two years. His journey back into treatment began with persistent back pain he initially attributed to long hours at his desk. When the pain became severe and unrelenting, a bone scan and biopsy confirmed the cancer had returned, metastasizing to his spine and several ribs. His oncologist, Dr. Sharma, recommended a combination approach: targeted hormone therapy (an aromatase inhibitor) to address the systemic disease, followed by focused radiation therapy to the most painful spinal lesion for local control and pain relief. Ayaan underwent five sessions of radiation, which he tolerated well, though fatigue was significant. The treatment successfully alleviated his debilitating back pain within a few weeks, allowing him to return to work part-time and be more present for his family. Emotionally, the metastatic diagnosis was a devastating blow, filling him with fear for his future and guilt over potentially not being there for his children. After treatment, while living with a chronic illness, the tangible relief from pain and stability from scans gave him a renewed sense of control and hope. He focuses on quality time with his family and has joined a support group for men with breast cancer.