In a moving and deeply personal address at the 7th edition of She Matters-the flagship women’s health event organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry – Indian Women Network (CII IWN), Maharashtra-author and cancer survivor Aarti Pathak spoke candidly about the hidden emotional and physical costs of battling cancer, and shared the transformative idea of “post-traumatic joy.” Finding not only survival but happiness again, after difficult times.

Pathak was part of the panel discussion “Women Survivors & Supporters of Cancer – Hidden Cost,” alongside co-panellists Ms Priya Dutt, Chairperson & Trustee, Nargis Dutt Foundation; Dr Manzer Shaikh, Obstetrician & Gynaecologist; and Dr Sangeeta Pandit, HOD–Finance at Sydenham Institute of Management Studies. In response to a question from the moderator, Gauri Pathak, she shared her story and took the attendees through her journey.