A heartbreaking incident recently came out of Mumbai — a young man abandoned his cancer-stricken grandmother by dumping her in a garbage heap. An elderly and sick woman, left by her own family — this is not just a crime, but a tragic sign that compassion in our society is eroding.
This incident shows us that cancer doesn’t just affect the body of a patient — it impacts the entire family. In such painful times, family counselling becomes a light of hope, a lifeline that can hold relationships together.
Why Cancer Impacts the Whole Family
- Uncertainty and fear increase
- There is stress, burnout, and mental fatigue in the home
- Relationships are strained and emotional distance grows
- Sometimes, love turns into frustration or even aggression
If help is not provided on time, compassion fades, and relationships begin to break down.
What is Family Counselling?
- Doctors, counsellors, and psychologists guide the patient and their family
- They help the family understand the illness, treatment, and challenges
- They assist in boosting emotional strength and support
- Families learn how to stay united and caring during such tough times
Why It Is Even More Important Today
In today’s fast-paced and stressful world, people struggle to stand by each other. Without emotional guidance, even love can turn into cruelty.
Perhaps the incident in Mumbai could have been prevented, had the young man received counselling — he might have better understood his grandmother’s suffering.
What Can Be Done?
1. Make family therapy compulsory in all cancer hospitals
2. NGOs and hospitals must offer counselling services
3. Families should be taught about home care and stress management
4. Spread awareness in society that asking for help is not weakness — it's your right
Never abandon or disrespect a cancer patient.Medicine may treat the illness, but love, empathy, and understanding heal families and society.Let us build a society where sharing pain becomes an act of compassion.
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