Ravi Pratap, India

Ravi Kumar’s Story: A Fight That Became a Voice

My name is Ravi Kumar. I am from Kaimur, Bihar, and I am 24 years old. I was diagnosed with metastatic lung adenocarcinoma in January 2025. At an age when life is usually about dreams, careers, and new beginnings, cancer entered my life uninvited.

Before my diagnosis, I was living in Delhi, preparing for the UPSC examinations. During that time, I started having a mild cough. It wasn’t very frequent, and like many young people, I ignored it. Months passed, and gradually the symptoms worsened. The cough increased, I became breathless, couldn’t climb stairs, felt constant fatigue, had a sore throat, and lost nearly 5 kilograms in just one month.

When I finally consulted a doctor, tuberculosis was suspected. Even though my TB tests were negative, I was put on TB treatment. I trusted the system, hoping things would improve. But the medicines gave me no relief. After almost two months of uncertainty and repeated tests, a CT scan was advised. Around the same time, my health suddenly deteriorated—my SpO₂ dropped to 64%. That was when I received the most devastating news of my life: I had lung cancer.

I was shocked and confused. I had always heard that lung cancer happens only to people who smoke or drink. I had no such addictions. I was young, active, and focused on my future. The question that haunted me was simple but painful—why me?

Cancer did not just affect me; it affected my entire family. Emotionally, my parents were shattered. Financially, the burden was heavy. Dreams were paused, priorities changed, and life took an unexpected turn.

I started my treatment at MPMMCC, Varanasi, and around the same time, I joined Lung Connect India Foundation, which became a crucial support system for me. Through them, I received guidance, information, and access to necessary resources. As I learned more about lung cancer treatments, I felt that immunotherapy would be the best option for me. However, reality hit hard. These medicines were far beyond what my family could afford. With no other choice, I decided to go ahead with chemotherapy.

I was scared—especially of the side effects—but I was clear about one thing in my mind: I had to fight. I had to go through this for my parents, who stood by me with unwavering strength. My fight is still on.

Over time, something within me changed. From being just a patient, I slowly became a patient advocate. I realized that my story could help others. I started speaking up about young lung cancer, misdiagnosis, and delayed diagnosis. I gave exclusive interviews to media houses, sharing my journey so that people understand that lung cancer is not just a smoker’s disease and not limited to older age groups.

I have attended awareness events and even hosted one for college students, urging them not to ignore symptoms and to seek medical attention early. If my experience can prevent even one delay in diagnosis, then my struggle has meaning.

Today, I continue my treatment, my fight, and my advocacy. Cancer may have changed my life, but it also gave me a purpose—to be a voice for young patients, to raise awareness, and to remind people that listening to your body can save your life.