Well-known Scottish television doctor and former Strictly Come Dancing star, Dr Punam Krishan, has spoken publicly for the first time about her recent breast cancer diagnosis, describing the profound emotional impact and her ongoing journey of recovery.
A Shock Diagnosis and Emotional Aftermath
The 42-year-old NHS GP from Glasgow received the life-altering news just five months ago. Dr Krishan, who is married to Scottish Conservative health spokesman Dr Sandesh Gulhane, described how she was overcome with emotion following the diagnosis. She revealed she wept frequently, in her car, in bed, and in the shower, as she processed the shock. The medic, familiar to many for offering health advice on BBC's Morning Live, said she is 'still navigating' life after the diagnosis but that it has granted her an unprecedented insight into the patient experience.
Finding Solace in Nature and Support Networks
During the most difficult moments, Dr Krishan found significant comfort in the natural world and the unwavering support of her loved ones. She credited her dog with providing a crucial routine, forcing her to get up and go for daily walks, which fostered what she called an 'insane connection to nature'. She also expressed deep gratitude for her husband, family, and friends, who gave her the 'space to crumble and fall apart when I needed to'.
This week, she disclosed her diagnosis publicly by posting a selfie from hospital, stating she is now in a phase of 'healing, grateful, relieved'. Appearing on Morning Live, she emphasised that the end of active treatment is not the end of the journey, explaining that patients must learn to trust their bodies again and walk a new path with a sense of hyper-vigilance.
A GP's New Perspective on Patient Care
Having been on both sides of the consultation table, Dr Krishan believes her experience will fundamentally change how she practices medicine. She stated the diagnosis forces you to confront two immediate realities: the shock of the illness itself and the trauma of having your mortality presented to you. She praised her own GP and the NHS system, highlighting the urgent cancer pathway she was placed on and the extraordinary care from her breast care team, oncologists, and specialist nurse.
'I am so blessed to have had the best NHS treatment,' she said, acknowledging the kindness and compassion shown to her alongside clinical expertise. Dr Krishan, who was the fifth celebrity eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing in 2024, now feels she has a 'deeper understanding' of the impact a cancer diagnosis has on the entire family network, not just the individual.
Breast cancer remains the most common cancer in women in the UK, with about one in seven developing it during their lifetime. In Scotland alone, approximately 4,800 new cases are diagnosed each year.
