M. M. Shuja deserves appreciation for his thought-provoking article on the realities surrounding cancer treatment at Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai. His narrative does not merely describe a hospital; it captures the emotional landscape that thousands of families traverse every year in search of hope. The article serves as a valuable guide for prospective patients while reminding policymakers of the urgent need to strengthen cancer care closer to home.For many families from Jammu & Kashmir, the diagnosis of cancer marks the beginning of a long and uncertain journey. Travelling nearly two thousand kilometres to Mumbai is not merely a physical journey—it is an emotional, financial and psychological ordeal. The first destination for many is the Homi Bhabha Block at Tata Memorial Hospital, where thousands of new patients register every day. The sheer volume of people waiting for treatment often leaves first-time visitors frightened and overwhelmed. The sight of endless queues, anxious faces and hospital corridors creates an atmosphere of uncertainty.

Yet, within those very corridors, another story quietly unfolds. Strangers become companions. Patients and attendants from different religions, regions and languages console one another, share food, exchange experiences and reassure newcomers that cancer is a battle which can be fought with courage and patience. Such spontaneous human bonding often becomes the first therapy before any medicine is administered.The treatment process at Tata Memorial Hospital is highly systematic and disciplined. Every patient undergoes carefully planned investigations, diagnostics, pathology, imaging,........

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