Strictly’s Dr Punam Krishan, 42, reveals heartbreaking breast cancer diagnosis

Dr Punam Krishan, who appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2024, has announced that several months ago, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and has been recieving treatment

Dr Punam Krishnan has been diagnosed with breast cancer (
Image: Instagram)

Dr Punam Krishnan, who appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2024, has been diagnosed with breast cancer. She detailed the
“shock”, “fear” and “trauma” of her diagnosis in a raw and emotional Instagram post. Alongside a photo of her lying in a hospital bed, she told fans on social media: “Here goes… Five months ago, I heard the words nobody ever wants to hear: You have cancer.”

Punam said it was hard to write the sentence, but that it was her ‘reality’ and ‘truth’. She said: “I’ve spent almost 2 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. The shock. The fear. The trauma. In that moment, knowledge means very little.”

Dr Punam Krishnan, who appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2024, has been diagnosed with breast cancer

Opening up on the specifics of her diagnosis, she said: “I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Since then, I’ve taken things one day at a time because that’s all I could do. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to be cared for by the most extraordinary NHS team, from my GP through to my breast and oncology teams. And still… it’s been really hard. Much harder than I ever imagined.”

Explaining why she kept her diagnosis quiet until now, she said: “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.

“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.”

Punam said it was hard to write but that it was her ‘reality’ and ‘truth’

She was partnered with Gorka on Strictly ( 
Image:
PA)
Dr Punam continued: “What I’ve learned most is this: 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.

She concluded the heartfelt post with: “Your health is everything. Not work. Not possessions. Not perfection. I have so much more to share when I’m ready. For now, thank you for being here and for holding space with such kindness.”

The Scottish star, who has also appeared on TV gameshow The Weakest Link, was the fifth celebrity to be eliminated from the BBC dancing show in 2024, when she was partnered with professional dancer Gorka Marquez, who wished her well on Instagram. Marquez said: “I know you and I know you will get through this, and we will be sat having a coffee and a croissant.”

The Scottish star, who has also appeared on TV gameshow The Weakest Link, was the fifth celebrity to be eliminated from the BBC dancing show in 2024 ( 
Image:

Dr Punam was flooded with support from friends and fans as fellow Strictly professional dancer Amy Dowden, who has herself been diagnosed with breast cancer, added: “You got this pink sister, sending so much love.”

Dr Amir Khan, who regularly appears on This Morning, gave his support and wrote: “You know how much I love you and I’m always here for you”.

Radio presenter Fleur East penned: “Thank you so much for sharing and raising awareness about early detection. Sending you lots of love”. Presenter Kate Lawler also said: “My goodness Punam, sending you every inch of love I have. So glad you’re on the mend but sorry you’ve been through this tough time. Thank you for sharing your story to raise awareness”.

The NHS says the symptoms of breast cancer include a lump or swelling in the breast, a change in breast skin, a change in size or shape of breasts or nipples, or a pain in the breast or armpit which does not go away.

Dr Punam kicked off her career in the media when she started writing for GP publication Pulse. She grew up in a tenement flat in the Scottish city with her parents, little sister and extended family. She went on to study medicine at Glasgow University and calls herself a “proud Scot”.

Dr Punam launched her career in the media when she started writing for GP publication Pulse ( 
Image:
PA)

She detailed the ‘shock’, ‘fear’ and ‘trauma’ of her diagnosis in a raw and emotional Instagram post ( 
Image:
WireImage)
Punam’s Indian heritage led to her struggling with her true identity in her early teens. “Growing up as a first-generation Scottish Indian was at times quite hard,” she wrote in the Glasgow Times. “Especially as a child and in my early teens, that true sense of belonging and identity was absent.”

“Though most of our customers were lovely and my mum and dad built up a beautiful relationship with our local community, they unfortunately also experienced a fair bit of racism and abuse over the years at the shop,” the medic continued. “Watching that as a child was really upsetting. They never said anything back. They just served.

“I didn’t see us as being different, but then when I would look at the papers and magazines on the shelves, it would hit home – we were different. People like us weren’t in the papers; we certainly weren’t writing for them.”

Punam didn’t let this hold her back and has become a successful GP, and has featured on This Morning many times in her career.

If you have been affected by this story, advice and support can be found at Breast Cancer Support.