Radhika Iyer Talati Cancer Story: Hot water fasts, yoga and mental peace: How Radhika Iyer Talati beat cancer twice and turned it into a success story

Radhika Iyer Talati got cancer when she was 29. It was uterine cancer at an early stage, and it was managed. However, the doctors told her that she might get cancer in other reproductive organs like the breast or ovaries, and she has to be careful about it. So why did she get cancer? Who is Radhika?Radhika Iyer was born into an orthodox Tamil Brahmin family. While her family placed a strong emphasis on the education of girls and encouraged independence, there were still several things she was not allowed to do. Her father was in the Military Accounts Service, and the family was transferred to different places across India. This gave Radhika the opportunity to try her hand at several odd jobs while she was still studying. “We were encouraged to do our own work and also earn our pocket money during the summer holidays. I did everything from modelling to selling newspapers and even going door-to-door selling washing powder.”

However, one thing that was not acceptable was marrying outside her community. But at 19, she fell in love with Amit Talati and got married into a wealthy Gujarati family. “I had always learned to earn my own money, so the life of a housewife was not easy for me. While there was no dearth of money, women in my family were expected to take care of the house, the men, and the children. I wanted to be a good daughter-in-law and learned the tricks of the trade, but I felt suppressed and was always striving to do something of my own.I did not want my husband to ever feel that he had made a wrong choice, so I swallowed my pride and fulfilled my role as a bahu. Gradually, however, I started taking things into my own hands. Thankfully, I was allowed to do small things like writing articles and organizing a small fashion exhibition. This gave me enough financial independence to hire help and think of starting something bigger. I began organizing celebrity birthdays, established my own wedding design company, and earned well, all while raising my three children.All this while, I was adjusting to my new family, raising children, and dealing with several health issues—like eczema that wouldn’t go away, gut problems, and conditions that even landed me in the ICU. Then came the final blow: cancer, at a time when my children were still very young. I was diagnosed in 2004, and thankfully it was at an early stage, so it was managed—but with a warning that it might return. Meanwhile, I had been struggling with eczema for years until I met an Ayurvedic doctor in Ahmedabad, Dr. Pankaj Dabi. My trust in him and in naturopathy became profound when he cured my long-standing eczema in just one week. All he did was change my diet—introducing seasonal, timely eating—and that discipline healed my condition.

But as fate would have it, I was diagnosed with cancer a second time in 2009—this time in my breasts. My mother-in-law had also had cancer, so when the lumps appeared, I went to the doctor immediately. However, she dismissed it and asked me to wait and watch.Within a few days, I felt that the lumps were increasing, so I went back again. This time, they discovered that I had multiple lumps. She advised me to undergo a biopsy, and it confirmed the diagnosis. I went straight to my Ayurvedic doctor, Dr. Pankaj Dabi. The cancer was in an initial stage, and he was confident that with proper Ayurvedic treatment, the lumps would dissolve. While my family was incredulous about this bold step and my husband was completely unwilling, I wanted to give it a try and assured him that if it did not work, I would resort to regular treatment.The Ayurvedic treatment was not easy. Every day, I would go to the clinic—a tiny one—at 9 a.m. and return home late in the evening. It involved fasting for long periods, drinking bitter juices, eating in copper plates, massages, and more. Finally, at the end of 18–19 days, my hand turned blue, and all the lumps disappeared.

Despite the pain, I felt fantastic, and during this duration, I lost 10 kgs. It was an immensely difficult treatment, but my faith and determination kept me going. I rested for 3–4 days, during which I ate only light food. I was not allowed to have a mammography done by the doctor, who said it might jeopardize the entire treatment. My family was not willing to accept my decision, but I went ahead with my faith. I eventually got a mammography done after three years, and everything came back clear. But the story did not end here. After a month, Dr. Dabi told me that I needed to replenish my prana energy, which had weakened during the treatment. He suggested that I should go either to Kerala or to the Himalayas.“I took permission from my husband and explained everything to my two children—my daughter was 8 and my son only 5—and then decided to take this journey. Before leaving, I wrote a very emotional message to all my women friends, but it came as a shock to me—and also as a learning—that I did not receive a single response. The reality of the world was laid bare before my eyes. I went to Rishikesh and spent six months there, extending my stay month by month after seeking permission from my children each time. There, I learned yoga from an Aghori baba named Baba Dhuni Nath. I did not spend a single rupee, yet I learned things that I could not have learned anywhere else. I had profound spiritual experiences and a deep awakening. I learned about Lord Shiva and his philosophy. This became a turning point in my life. When I returned after five months, my husband could hardly recognize me—I had changed completely.”

Why did cancer happen?I realized that cancer may have developed due to a combination of factors: eating outside food, exposure to chemical-laden cosmetics, and the constant stress of trying to fit into the role of a “bahu,” along with many unspoken emotions that came with it.After my healing journey, I embraced yoga deeply and began practicing regularly. I also incorporated hot water fasting into my lifestyle. Dr. Pankaj believed that hot water fasting could help cure many diseases, and it gradually became a part of my routine. Today, I am able to fast for days—but of course, this has come with consistent practice and discipline. I eventually started my own yoga studio, and Anahata Organics was gradually born when I realised that practicing yoga was not enough unless it is paired with clean eating. Radhika ensured that she brought to the people traditional foods and practices that are missing from our modern tables.Radhika Iyer Talati is a yogini, a philanthropist, and a deep believer in naturopathy. She is a living example of strength and resilience and of the belief that ancient Indian sciences and mindful practices can help heal many modern ailments, including serious diseases. Radhika’s life is a testament to transformation, faith, and inner strength.