12 May, 2025
12 May, 2025
In some cases, cancers do not cause symptoms until they have progressed to advanced stages. In such cases, patients will need comprehensive treatment plans comprising aggressive and targeted treatment approaches.
At times, these cancers may present with vague symptoms that can be easily confused with the symptoms of various less serious conditions. These vague symptoms, especially if they are persistent, should be properly evaluated to find out the underlying cause and treated with appropriate interventions.
Lung cancer is one such cancer that does not present any symptoms in the early stages; when it does, the disease has typically progressed significantly.
65-year-old Abdul Wahid, an avid swimmer from the Maldives, had stage 3 lung cancer without realizing it. He received an incidental cancer diagnosis during a visit to the doctor for chest pain caused by a swimming accident.
This story of a cancer survivor discusses how cancers can develop and progress without apparent symptoms and what measures one can take for early detection and timely interventions.
Read this cancer survivor story to the end to find out how Abdul Wahid overcame stage 3 lung cancer and how he is doing today.
Abdul Wahid has always led an active and fulfilling life. His passion for swimming at the age of 65 exemplifies his energetic lifestyle.
It all began with the chest pain he experienced after a swimming accident, when a barrel struck him in the chest while he was swimming.
This chest pain did not subside even after 15 days, and that is when Abdul decided to see a doctor for a remedy.
The doctor did a quick X-ray scan, which reported a mass in his chest region. Initially, the doctor speculated that it could be cancer or tuberculosis. After further investigation with a CT scan, the doctor concluded that Abdul had lung cancer.
Although devastated by the diagnosis initially, Abdul decided to do whatever it took to overcome this disease and reclaim his life.
Continue reading this patient story to know what Abdul did to find the right specialist for his condition.
He began searching for the best cancer hospital for his treatment, and that is when he found HCG.
He learned about the treatment facilities offered at this hospital, what other patients said about its services, and its clinical excellence, which led him to decide that he would receive his treatment at HCG. Consequently, he contacted his insurance company to designate HCG as his cancer care provider.
Immediately, he left for India to meet a cancer specialist at the HCG Cancer Centre in Bengaluru.
At HCG, he happened to meet a couple from the Maldives who were also there for the husband’s cancer treatment, and they shared their treatment experience, which further increased Abdul’s confidence in his decision to undergo treatment at this hospital.
He met his treating doctor and their team here, and the team suggested further evaluations, like a biopsy, for staging and treatment planning. The biopsy confirmed that he had stage 3 adenocarcinoma in his lung.
His case was discussed during the multidisciplinary tumor board meeting, and it was collectively decided that the best way forward for his case would be to begin with immunotherapy and chemotherapy to shrink the tumor, followed by robotic surgery to remove the tumor, radiotherapy, and maintenance immunotherapy to reduce the risk of a recurrence.
Initially, he underwent chemotherapy and immunotherapy. After these treatments, he was made to undergo a PET-CT scan, which showed significant regression in tumor growth.
These treatments were followed by robotic surgery, wherein the surgeons operated on the tumor through tiny incisions. This surgery comes with fewer complications and helps patients recover faster.
The surgery was followed by radiotherapy and maintenance immunotherapy for one year.
After completing his maintenance treatment, he underwent a PET-CT scan, which reported zero radiological evidence of cancer, and the test for circulating tumor cells (CTCs) was also negative. Abdul was cancer-free.
He successfully reclaimed his life with personalized treatment strategies that were specifically planned to meet his individual health needs.
After completing his cancer treatment successfully, Abdul has returned to his normal life. He wholeheartedly thanks the HCG team for its prompt assistance and support whenever necessary.
He particularly remembers the international patient care team at HCG, which played a pivotal role in creating a seamless treatment experience for him and prioritizing his comfort and convenience throughout his treatment journey.
Impressed by the treatment facilities and services and his own experience as a cancer survivor, Abdul has become a representative of the HCG Cancer Centre in his country today.
As an HCG representative, Abdul educates cancer patients in the Maldives about the treatment facilities, treatment approaches, and clinical expertise available at HCG, which allows them to make informed decisions for their health.
Lastly, Abdul sends special thanks to Dr. B. S. Ajaikumar, executive chairman at HCG, for being supportive and understanding throughout the treatment journey and playing a huge role in his victory against cancer.
Just like Abdul, many individuals do not experience any symptoms in the early stages of cancer. This not only makes early diagnosis challenging but also negatively impacts the survival rates.
Opting fo regular health checkups or screenings is one way to catch cancers in their early stages, even before they start showing symptoms. These screening tests help detect cancers that are in precancerous and early stages.
Here’s what one can do to reduce the risk of advanced-stage cancers:
Cancer screening tests: Those aged 40 and above should speak to their general physician about cancer screening tests that they can undergo for different types of cancer.
Being aware of different symptoms of cancer: It is necessary to learn about different symptoms that cancer can cause so that one can seek immediate medical attention when abnormal symptoms are experienced.
Adopting a healthy lifestyle: A healthy lifestyle comprising balanced nutrition, sufficient physical activity, abstinence from unhealthy habits like smoking, and healthy weight management will significantly reduce the risk of all major types of cancer.
Abdul Wahid’s journey through cancer was inspiring for many reasons. First, he did not let his diagnosis control his decisions or life; he took charge of his health. Second, he stayed motivated throughout his treatment journey, and he got his life back from the clutches of stage 3 lung cancer. Third, he is educating more patients in the country about different treatment options available for cancer and helping them make well-informed decisions for their health.
We are confident that Abdul’s patient success story will inspire you to deal with cancer head-on and do what is right for your health.
