Aruna Irani Opens Up on Her Breast Cancer Battle: Why Ignoring Chemotherapy Once Was a Mistake
Veteran actress Aruna Irani has shared a deeply personal and cautionary tale about her battle with breast cancer, revealing how her initial decision to refuse chemotherapy led to a recurrence of the disease—a decision she now says she regrets.
The popular actor was first diagnosed in 2015 after doctors detected a lump, which was surgically removed. At that point, her medical team strongly recommended chemotherapy to destroy any remaining cancer cells and reduce the risk of recurrence.
However, Irani declined the treatment, worried about potential side effects such as hair loss, fatigue, and the impact a treatment break might have on her acting career.
Instead, she opted for oral medications and continued with her professional commitments. But in 2020, five years later, the cancer returned—this time more aggressively.
She had no choice but to undergo full chemotherapy. Though she did experience temporary hair loss, Irani says the advancements in cancer treatment allowed her hair to grow back swiftly, and the side effects were far more manageable than she had feared.
Her story serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of listening to medical advice, especially when it comes to life-saving cancer treatments.
Dr Vaishali Zamre, Director and Head of the Breast Cancer Centre at Andromeda Cancer Hospital, Delhi, regularly counsels patients who are hesitant about chemotherapy. “Avoidance of chemotherapy is unfortunately common among survivors.
I speak to two or three such women daily,” she says, adding that many people focus more on short-term appearance and discomfort than the long-term benefit of survival.
Understanding the Role of Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer Treatment
Chemotherapy is not merely a supplementary option—it is often a critical component of breast cancer treatment. It targets microscopic cancer cells that may remain in the body after surgery.
These cells are often undetectable through scans but can lead to recurrence if not eliminated. Administered intravenously, chemotherapy drugs circulate through the entire body and systematically destroy residual cancer cells, significantly lowering the risk of the cancer returning.
Clinical studies have consistently shown that chemotherapy, when administered after surgery, can significantly improve survival rates, especially for women with aggressive tumors, HER2-positive cancers, or cases where the cancer has spread to lymph nodes.
“Many people still assume chemotherapy is a one-size-fits-all approach,” says Dr Zamre, “but that’s outdated thinking.” In reality, today’s cancer treatment is highly personalised. Oncologists often recommend chemotherapy in combination with other therapies, such as:
- Targeted therapy which attacks specific cancer-related proteins.
- Hormone therapy, particularly effective for hormone receptor-positive tumors, slows or stops cancer growth by blocking hormones like estrogen or progesterone.
- Radiation therapy will kill the remaining cancer cells in the breast area.
- Immunotherapy boosts the body’s natural defenses to fight cancer.
Each treatment plan is developed after careful consideration of multiple factors: the type of cancer, its genetic makeup, the stage at diagnosis, and the patient’s overall health.
Advances in Chemotherapy: A New Era of Hope
One of the reasons people like Aruna Irani fear chemotherapy is the belief that it is harsh and debilitating. While that may have been true in the past, modern chemotherapy protocols have made the treatment more tolerable and far less damaging.
For instance, new drugs now stimulate the production of white blood cells, reducing the risk of dangerous infections and enabling quicker recovery. “We can safely give chemotherapy to women in their 70s or even 80s today,” Dr Zamre says. “It’s no longer the toxic experience it once was.”
Additionally, predictive biomarker tests have revolutionized treatment planning. These tests help determine whether chemotherapy will be beneficial for a specific patient, allowing oncologists to customise regimens that are both effective and less invasive.
This tailored approach also reduces unnecessary side effects, enabling patients to maintain a better quality of life during treatment.
The Importance of Open Dialogue
Experts stress the need for open, honest conversations between patients and oncologists. “The goal is to understand not only the risks of chemotherapy but also the life-saving potential it offers,” says Dr Zamre. “Patients need reassurance, empathy, and factual information—not fear and stigma.”
Aruna Irani’s journey offers not only a lesson in resilience but also in the importance of following evidence-based medical guidance. Her courage in speaking out about her misstep has opened the door for others to reconsider their own health decisions.
As Dr Zamre puts it: “Cancer treatment today is about empowerment. The more informed a patient is, the better their outcome will be. And that starts with trusting your doctor—and not letting fear decide your fate.”
