Bendre said that her cancer has metastised which, according to the National Cancer Institute, is one which has the ability to spread to organs that are far from the main region of affliction
Bollywood actress Sonali Bendre, who impressed one and all in movies like Sarfarosh, Diljale and Hum Saath Saath Hain, revealed on Tuesday that she has been diagnosed with "high-grade cancer" and is under treatment in the US.
"Sometimes, when you least expect it, life throws you a curveball... A niggling pain led to some tests, which led to this unexpected diagnosis," Bendre said in an emotional statement on Twitter, before adding that her cancer had metastised.
According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), a metastatic cancer is one which has the ability to spread to lymph nodes, tissues and organs that are far from the main region of affliction. The metastatic cancer cells display the same characteristics as primary cancer even at places that they have spread to, and hence they are named after primary cancer. So for instance, breast cancer that had spread to the lungs would show breast-cancer-like features even when put under the microscope at the lungs, and would still be called breast cancer.
The spreading cancer cells normally die at some stage during the process, unless the conditions are favourable for them to cause new tumours in other parts of the body. Metastatic cancer cells may also remain dormant at a place that they had spread, before growing again.
The 43-year-old Bendre, who charmed her audience with her beauty and acting in the 1990s and 2000s, refused to break down despite this terrible news and revealed that she had started immediate treatment, which is the only way that the disease can be tackled.
There has been an "outpouring of love and support" as this sad piece of news became known.
"Godspeed, love and strength to a true fighter and a solid soul!!! (sic)" said filmmaker Karan Johar, who was one of the first to react.
"Wishes and strength and love with you Sonali,” fashion designer Manish Malhotra wrote on her Instagram post.
Vivek Oberoi, Sonam Kapoor, Abhishek Bachchan, Neelam Soni, Arjun Kapoor, Neha Dhupia and Sophie Chaudhary were some of the other noted personalities who extended support to the actress.
Bendre thanked her family, friends and admirers for the strength that they have offered her and said she was "optimistic and I am determined to fight every step of the way".
Bendre made debut with the 1994 film Aag and was last seen on the big screen in Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai in 2013. She has also featured in the television serial Ajeeb Daastaan Hai Ye, and on shows like India’s Best Dramebaaz, India’s Got Talent and Indian Idol.
Bendre is the second frontline Bollywood actress to be diagnosed with cancer in recent months, after Irrfan Khan.
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