Dipika Kakar reveals weaning her 2-year-old son overnight was the hardest part of her cancer battle; experts shares why it's necessary
Dipika Kakar, the 'Sasural Simar Ka' actress, has been diagnosed with stage 2 liver cancer, which led to a gruelling 14-hour-long surgery earlier this month. Eleven days after being discharged from the hospital, the actor opened up about her experience for the first time on her YouTube channel.
While speaking about the same, she revealed that one of the challenging aspects after her cancer diagnosis was having to suddenly wean her son Ruhaan off breastfeeding in just one night.
Dipika Kakar opens up about the most difficult part after the cancer diagnosis
While opening up about the hardest part on her vlog, which was titled 'Duaon Ke Liye Dil Se Shukriya', the actress got emotional and said the first thing she had to do, which, according to her, was the hardest thing for her, was weaning her son off in just one night.
She shared that she had no other choice and was forced to do it, adding that she cried a lot that night. Dipika is married to actor Shoaib Ibrahim, and the couple has a two-year-old son named Ruhaan.
According to Kakar, she hadn't anticipated that something like this would happen or that she would have to stop breastfeeding.
Cancer diagnosis and breastfeeding
The actress went on to explain in her video that now, with so many medicines going into her body as the treatment has started, it's better not to breastfeed a child in such a condition. But is breastfeeding not safe in cancer patients?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), if a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer during or after pregnancy, breastfeeding is often not recommended, especially during active cancer treatment. 'Breastfeeding, despite having innumerable benefits, is usually discontinued when the mother is on cancer treatment. Chemotherapy drugs usually have a higher concentration in breast milk, leading to increased relative infant dose,' says Dr Tanmesh Kumar Sahu, Consultant Neonatologist and NICU In Charge, Medicover Hospitals, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai.
'These drugs usually have deleterious effects on the normal cell division of the baby. Radiotherapy, whether external beam or brachytherapy, can also decrease milk production during the treatment of breast cancer. The suckling effect of the baby might augment skin toxicity from radiotherapy in the treated breasts,' he adds.
'But during low-dose radiation therapy for breast cancer, breastfeeding can be continued from the untreated breast.'
Why do you have to stop breastfeeding after a cancer diagnosis?
The decision to stop breastfeeding after a cancer diagnosis primarily hinges on the mother's treatment plan. 'Chemotherapy and some targeted therapies can be harmful to a breastfeeding infant, as they may be present in breast milk. These substances can compromise the baby's health, leading to potential side effects or developmental issues,' explains Dr. Ashwini Rathod, Consultant Obstetrician, Gynaecologist, and Infertility Specialist, Ankura Hospital for Women and Children, Pune.
Dr Rathod goes on to add, 'Certain cancer treatments may necessitate surgery, making breastfeeding impractical or uncomfortable.'
Healthcare providers usually advise mothers on the safest course of action regarding breastfeeding, often recommending formula feeding during treatment to ensure the infant's well-being.
What's the alternative for this?
According to Dr. Rathod, 'If the mother has good milk output, she can bank the milk in a dedicated human milk bank by expressing her milk before the start of the treatment to be used later once the treatment gets over.'
In a nutshell, breastfeeding should ideally be avoided during cancer treatment in lactating mothers.
To stay updated on the stories that are going viral, follow Indiatimes Trending.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Global recognition for Karnataka's Tobacco Control Cell
Karnataka's State Tobacco Control Cell has been honoured by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for excellence in tobacco control in the South-East Asia region. Each year, the WHO recognises and felicitates the best performing States in the South-East Asia region for their exemplary efforts in tobacco control. Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao received the award from WHO representatives in Bengaluru on Saturday. COTPA amendment Tightening tobacco control laws, the Karnataka government last month notified major amendments to the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, on the occasion of the World No Tobacco Day observed on May 31. The amendments — through which the maximum fine for violations under tobacco control laws has been increased from ₹200 to ₹1,000, and the legal age for purchasing tobacco products been raised from 18 to 20 years — were approved by President Droupadi Murmu on May 23. The amended Act — the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) (Karnataka Amendment) Act, 2024 — was published in the Karnataka Gazette on May 30.
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Time of India
British woman dies after an innocent-looking puppy scratch in Morocco
A 59-year-old British woman has passed away after contracting rabies from what appeared to be an innocuous scratch by a stray puppy while on holiday in Morocco last year. The case is the UK's first travel-acquired rabies death since 2018 and prompted urgent reminders about the dangers of animal contact overseas by health officials. The Barnsley woman, Yvonne Ford, was scratched by a stray puppy in February 2025. Thinking it was only a minor cut, she didn't have it treated immediately. But weeks later, in early June, she started suffering from serious neurological symptoms such as headache, paralysis, and the inability to speak, swallow, or sleep. Even hospitalization and medical treatment in the UK could not save Ford, who died on June 11 due to the infection. Rabies is a viral infection that is nearly always terminal once symptoms appear but is completely preventable if treated quickly after exposure. There is no risk to the general public, but all who may have had contact with Ford including medical staff are being offered post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) as a precaution, UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) states. PEP involves a course of rabies vaccines, which, if given early, are almost 100% effective at preventing the disease. "These are tragic circumstances and a stark reminder of the risks of rabies in some regions of the world," added UKHSA's Dr. Katherine Russell. "If you have been bitten, scratched, or licked by an animal from a place where rabies exists, it's crucial to wash the wound thoroughly and get immediate medical attention." she added. Rabies is prevalent in most countries in Asia and Africa, including Morocco. It is most commonly spread through the saliva of infected animals by bites or scratches. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that rabies kills about 59,000 people annually across the world, and 99% of human cases are caused by dog exposure. Yvonne Ford's case mirrors a similar tragedy from 2018, when another British citizen died after being bitten by a rabid cat in Morocco. All rabies deaths in the UK since 2000 have involved infections acquired while traveling overseas. Health officials are advising travelers to rabies-endemic areas to keep away from stray or unknown animals. In some instances, particularly for individuals staying in rural areas for prolonged periods or working intensely with animals,pre-exposure vaccination is advisable prior to travel. They also emphasize that even the slightest wounds, such as a scratch, can be lethal if they are not treated. Travellers are advised to clean any animal-related wound at once with soap and water for a minimum of 15 minutes and immediately get urgent medical attention for examination and potential rabies vaccination. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, says Avoid contact with wild or stray animals: Keep your distance from wildlife and stray dogs or cats, whether at home or abroad In the U.S. rabies is rare, but it remains widespread elsewhere; always check whether dogs or wildlife carry rabies at your destination. Vaccinate pets regularly: Ensure household pets stay up to date on rabies shots Many countries require imported dogs to be vaccinated and microchipped. Clean wounds immediately: Any bite or scratch from an animal, even a minor one, should be washed thoroughly for 15 minutes with soap and water. Vaccination: Pre-exposure Recommended for those working with animals or traveling to regions with limited medical care. Usually a 2-dose series, under CDC's ACIP guidelines, simplified from the older 3-dose method. After exposure: Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) Clean the wound thoroughly Administer human rabies immune globulin Start the rabies vaccine series (4 doses over 14 days for those previously unvaccinated, 2 doses for those previously vaccinated). Remember, prevention is better than cure. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Time of India
13 hours ago
- Time of India
Olympian Camille Cheng named IOC mental health ambassador, plans Hong Kong advocacy
IOC appoints Camille Cheng as mental health ambassador for Asia Olympic swimmer Camille Cheng Lily-mei has been named one of the first mental health ambassadors by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), recognizing her commitment to athlete wellness beyond her accomplishments in the pool. Cheng, who has represented Hong Kong in three Olympic Games, was invited to attend the IOC Consensus Meeting on Mental Health for Elite Athletes earlier this month in Lausanne, Switzerland. She will serve as the female ambassador representing Asia. Also read: The more time kids spend on phones, the worse their mental health... but bans in schools alone won't help: 'There'll be 12 representatives: a female representative and a male representative from the Americas, Asia, Oceania, Europe, Africa, and then two more,' Cheng explained. 'It is up to the ambassador to be very proactive in how we bring what the IOC is doing in this space to our own region.' Live Events The ambassador program is part of a broader IOC initiative to incorporate athlete perspectives into mental health strategies. Cheng, who co-founded Hong Kong-based mental health charity Mind the Waves , plans to bring IOC research and initiatives to local conversations in Hong Kong. 'My hope is to take this experience, the resources that will be available, the research and bring it to Hong Kong and have conversations with the people here that can help,' she said. Cheng aims to localize IOC mental health resources in Hong Kong During her four-day visit to Lausanne, Cheng participated in a series of expert-led sessions on elite athlete mental health, addressing topics such as eating disorders, depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. More than 30 specialists presented research on mental health trends in high-performance sport. Also read: Yoga offers path to sustainability: WHO regional director Saima Wazed Cheng also co-facilitated workshops during the International Athletes' Forum, held in parallel with the mental health meeting. The forum gathered 300 to 400 athlete representatives globally. 'During this forum, there were five breakout sessions and I, alongside the head of the mental health unit and a clinical psychologist, co-facilitated a workshop for athletes,' she said. Over two days, Cheng led sessions for about 150 participants, discussing the distinctions between mental health and mental illness, signs of psychological distress, and strategies for peer support. 'I feel very privileged to have been in that room, partly because it's a topic that I'm super passionate and interested in myself, and then also having the honor to be one of the athlete representatives as well,' she said. Hong Kong Olympian Camille Cheng has been appointed as one of the International Olympic Committee's first mental health ambassadors. A co-founder of mental health charity Mind the Waves, Cheng aims to adapt the IOC's initiatives to Hong Kong, following her participation in a mental health consensus meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland Olympian Camille Cheng named IOC mental health ambassador , plans Hong Kong advocacy Now 32, Cheng is recovering from ACL surgery and has not competed in over four months. In addition to her Olympic success and six Asian Games medals, she holds a master's degree in industrial-organizational psychology and has expressed interest in pursuing a career in sports psychology. Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
