Desi sisters get stomach cut out to survive

Updated on: 12 December,2009 07:21 AM IST |
Agencies |

Born with a cancer gene, they didn't want to risk getting the disease

Born with a cancer gene, they didn't want to risk getting the disease

Meeta and Ravindra Singh were born with a mutant E-cadherin gene, which affects an estimated 100 families in the world, giving them an 80 per cent chance of developing cancer.

Deaths in family

The gene has claimed the lives of their father, two uncles, their grandmother and their 20-year-old cousin.

Ravindra (29) opted to have her stomach removed as a precautionary measure in June after being diagnosed with the defective gene. This week, Meeta (25) underwent the same procedure.

Caution: Meeta Singh and Ravindra can eat only about 10 mouthfuls of food per meal for a year

The sisters can now only eat about 10 mouthfuls of food per meal, but are otherwise expected to live normal lives. Meeta said, "It's definitely worthwhile because you can't put a price on your life."

Doctors said that after a year a small 'pouch' will form in place of their stomachs allowing them to eat larger meals.

Ravindra decided to have her stomach removed as a precaution. But tests in the run up to the procedure found she had early stage cancer.

"I am very glad because the operation was definitely the right thing to do." Her cancer has not returned.

Doc says

Simon Dexter, who conducted Meeta's operation, said, "The stomach is just a vessel in the gut. Once we have taken that out we use the small bowel and join it with the gullet. You can manage very well with no stomach."

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels