BBC Morning Live doctor and former Strictly Come Dancing star Punam Krishan has spoken openly about the emotional impact of her breast cancer diagnosis, revealing she "cried in the car, I cried in bed, cried in the shower." The 42-year-old shared her experience on the programme, five months after her diagnosis, which she first disclosed on Instagram on Sunday.
Krishan described relying on a close support network, including her husband, family, and a small group of trusted friends, who allowed her "the space to crumble and fall apart when I needed to." She found comfort in nature and her dog, saying, "Nature became the biggest comfort for me... when you're going through pain, sometimes nature is the space that is big enough to hold you there."
In her Instagram post, Krishan confirmed she had completed treatment and is now "healing, grateful, relieved" yet "still shaken." On Morning Live, she elaborated on the ongoing challenges post-treatment, noting that many people assume treatment is the end. "Once you've come out of the treatment, that isn't the end of it... you've got this newfound sense of identity," she said, adding that she is still "navigating" life with a "hyper alertness and vigilance."
The experience has deepened her professional perspective. "I wish I didn't have to go through that, but... having been on the other side of the consultation table, I'm looking forward to just getting back to really holding my patients again with a newfound... 'I get it, I get it'," she stated. She praised the NHS for its "incredible" care, highlighting her GP, breast care team, and oncology teams for their clinical expertise and compassion.
Krishan was the fifth celebrity eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing in 2024, where she was partnered with Gorka Marquez. The NHS advises that breast cancer symptoms can include a lump or swelling in the breast, changes in skin or nipple appearance, or persistent pain in the breast or armpit.
