From Physician to Patient: Dr. Deval Gadhvi's Personal Battle with Breast Cancer
As a primary care physician with years of experience, Dr. Deval Gadhvi was intimately familiar with the clinical aspects of cancer. However, in 2015, when she received a breast cancer diagnosis herself at the age of 50, the experience left her profoundly disoriented. The diagnosis was particularly confounding because it defied every established risk marker she had studied throughout her medical career.
"I wasn't just a doctor then; I was also a patient," Dr. Gadhvi recalls. "There were no traditional markers—no smoking, no drinking, no family history. The journey to recovery was relatively easier because of my medical background, but it taught me one critical lesson—the power of early intervention and human connection."
Healing and a New Perspective
Radiation and chemotherapy treatments successfully helped Dr. Gadhvi overcome cancer, but the emotional aftermath persisted. Alongside that lingering impact grew a determination to ensure others did not lose precious time due to stigma, silence, or fear. Having moved to the United States after her marriage in 1999, Dr. Gadhvi found her own healing anchored by family and community support.
This support system profoundly shaped her perspective when she visited her native Kutch region in Gujarat during 2016. What she witnessed there deeply disturbed her: women were battling cancers that had been diagnosed far too late, often because cultural taboos and social stigmas prevented them from seeking timely medical consultation. This delay was driving mortality rates to alarming levels in these communities.
Launching an Ambitious Rural Health Initiative
Determined to take action, Dr. Gadhvi launched an ambitious outreach program utilizing a specialized medical bus equipped with essential diagnostic tools. The initiative began modestly, targeting just four villages and two urban slum pockets, with local non-governmental organizations brought on board to help amplify its reach.
Despite these efforts, progress proved painfully slow and challenging. "Despite our awareness drives, women were still hesitant to come forward for screenings," Dr. Gadhvi explained. The traditional approach of direct community outreach was not yielding the desired participation rates.
The Breakthrough: 'Let's Save Ma' Campaign
The transformative breakthrough came with a simple yet powerful strategic shift: taking the health message directly to schools. By appealing to children, the program evolved into the innovative 'Let's Save Ma' campaign. This initiative urged young students to persuade their mothers—and other women in their families—to undergo regular health check-ups and cancer screenings.
The results were immediate, significant, and lasting. "It's been a success ever since," Dr. Gadhvi said, crediting community participation for helping the initiative expand far beyond its initial footprint. The campaign successfully leveraged the influence of children within family structures to overcome deep-seated cultural barriers.
Sustained Commitment Across Continents
Even as she continues her medical practice and social work in Jersey City, United States, Dr. Gadhvi remains deeply invested in awareness campaigns and health initiatives. Her dual perspective as both physician and survivor continues to inform her approach to public health challenges.
Dr. Gadhvi shared these insights during her recent participation at the IMA NATCON conference held in Ahmedabad, where she emphasized the critical importance of early detection and community-based health interventions. Her journey demonstrates how personal experience can transform into powerful public health advocacy, particularly in addressing healthcare disparities in rural and underserved communities.
