TV doctor Punam Krishan reveals breast cancer diagnosis

TV doctor and former Strictly Come Dancing contestant Punam Krishan has revealed she has had treatment after being diagnosed with breast cancer.

The Glasgow-born GP, 42, who is a resident doctor on the BBC's Morning Live and appeared on Strictly in 2024, said she was diagnosed five months ago.

She has now completed her treatment and is "healing", but is "still shaken", she wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of herself in a hospital bed.

"I've spent almost two decades as a doctor, supporting patients and families through difficult diagnoses. And yet, nothing - absolutely nothing - prepares you for being on the receiving end yourself," she wrote.

"The shock. The fear. The trauma. In that moment, knowledge means very little. I was diagnosed with breast cancer.

"Since then, I've taken things one day at a time because that's all I could do."

She praised "the most extraordinary NHS team" who have cared for her.

"And still... it's been really hard. Much harder than I ever imagined," she added.

"I've kept this private while going through treatment, trying to protect my energy and most of all - my children. My husband, my family and a small circle of friends have carried me through in ways I'll never forget.

"When something like this happens, you realise very quickly what - and who - truly matters."

Krishan is married to Dr Sandesh Gulhane, who is an MSP and the Scottish Conservative health spokesman.

She continued: "I've now completed treatment and I'm healing.

"Grateful. Relieved. Still shaken. All of those things can exist at once.

"I'm sharing this now because carrying it quietly has been heavy. Because I've always believed in honesty.

"And because life rarely looks like the highlight reel, even when it seems that way from the outside.

"Cancer doesn't discriminate. I had no family history. I was well. I'm a doctor. And yet - here I am."

She said her biggest lesson was that early detection saves lives.

"It saved mine. My story began with an unusual feeling - a gut instinct. Listening to it mattered. Please know your body. Trust yourself. And act early if something doesn't feel right.

"This experience has changed me. It's taken me to very dark places mentally - conversations about your own mortality will do that - but it's also stripped life back to what truly matters.

"Your health is everything. Not work. Not possessions. Not perfection."

Krishan is an NHS GP who started appearing on BBC Radio Scotland in 2020 and BBC One's Morning Live the following year. She has also written books about health and first aid for children.

She appeared on Strictly 2024 with professional dance partner Gorka Marquez, and they were the fifth celebrity pair to be voted off.

Marquez was among those wishing her well on Instagram, writing: "I know you and I know you will get through this, and we will be sat having a coffee and a croissant."

Fellow Strictly professional dancer Amy Dowden, who has been through treatment for breast cancer, posted: "You got this pink sister, sending so much love."

The NHS website says breast cancer symptoms can include:

• a lump, or swelling in your breast, chest or armpit
• a change in the skin of your breast, such as dimpling or redness
• a change in size or shape of one or both breasts
• nipple discharge (if you are not pregnant or breastfeeding), which may have blood in it
• a change in the shape or look of your nipple, such as it turning inwards or a rash on it
• pain in your breast or armpit which does not go away

Breast lumps are very common and can be caused by other conditions, NHS advice says, and having some of the symptoms does not definitely mean you have breast cancer.