{
  "id": 5790136,
  "title": "Manisha Koirala on feeling lonely during cancer: ‘That night was the loneliest and longest’",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/manisha-koirala-on-feeling-lonely-during-cancer-that-night-was-the",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-05T15:27:25.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express",
    "slug": "the-indian-express",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/feelings/manisha-koirala-lonely-felt-fighting-cancer-10861640/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In 2012, acclaimed Bollywood actress Manisha Koirala was diagnosed with stage IV ovarian cancer. Despite widespread pessimism, she underwent a grueling 11-hour surgery followed by multiple chemotherapy sessions, ultimately conquering the disease in 2013. During her interview with Brut India, Koirala candidly discussed the profound loneliness she experienced during her battle with cancer. She recalled that while she was informed about her diagnosis during the day, it was the night that felt the loneliest and longest, evoking a sense of an inescapable dark space. Koirala further revealed that her social life took a significant hit, as she attended Bollywood gatherings but felt disconnected from the festivities. She expressed the overwhelming feeling of loneliness that permeated her life during this period. Dr Amit Chakraborty, a head and neck surgeon and surgical oncologist at SSO Hospital Mumbai, shared that cancer not only poses physical challenges but also engenders fear, uncertainty, and an array of emotional hurdles for patients and their families. He emphasized that every individual's cancer journey is unique, with some requiring longer or more intensive treatment. Patients face anxiety about their future, alterations in appearance, financial worries, and the impact of treatment on daily life. Dr Chakraborty further mentioned that patients experience a significant emotional toll from the moment of diagnosis until the completion of treatment. He highlighted the importance of addressing mental health as a crucial aspect of overall treatment, as it contributes significantly to building resilience and improving the overall prognosis. Dr Sajjan Rajpurohit, director of medical oncology at BLK Max Super Specialty Hospital in Delhi, echoed these sentiments, stating that cancer profoundly impacts not only the body but also the mind. He emphasized that a majority of patients report reduced anxiety and depression with appropriate counseling. Dr Rajpurohit believes that patients must possess knowledge to navigate procedures, manage emotions, and exert some control over their circumstances. He emphasized the necessity of providing psychoeducation about the disease and engaging in therapy sessions to enhance survival rates, reduce the fear of recurrence, and improve the quality of life for patients.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Manisha Koirala diagnosed with stage IV ovarian cancer in 2012",
    "Actress battled cancer for two years, conquered in 2013",
    "Night after diagnosis felt loneliest and longest for Koirala"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express - Lifestyle",
        "title": "Manisha Koirala on feeling lonely during cancer: ‘That night was the loneliest and longest’",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/manisha-koirala-on-feeling-lonely-during-cancer-that-night-was-the-5791660",
        "published": "2026-09-05T15:27:25.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}