Key Points:
The Shark Tank India judge shared her experience with cancer and made statements expressing dislike for allopathy.
Experts stated that chemotherapy and radiation remain the foundation of effective cancer treatment and survival.
Doctors warned that statements from public figures may unintentionally encourage treatment delays
Shark Tank India judge and JetSetGo founder Kanika Tekriwal has recently opened up about her battle with cancer in an episode of Shark Tank India. She revealed that she was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 21. The remarks made by her regarding the cancer journey have sparked debate among doctors and healthcare professionals.
During Episode 24 of Shark Tank India’s latest season, 35-year-old entrepreneur Kanika Tekriwal shared her cancer journey with viewers in response to a pitch by the brand Wholeleaf.
Wholeleaf is a startup founded by Shivraj Sharma that focuses on solutions designed to manage persistent pain.
She revealed that she was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 21, approximately 17 years ago. She underwent chemotherapy every two weeks and experienced severe pain during treatment. She mentioned that her doctors had asked her parents to arrange CBD oil (Cannabidiol oil) for pain management, but it was unavailable at the time.
However, her subsequent statements have raised significant concerns among medical professionals:
"In my world, allopathy is something I don't like at all. When I had cancer, I underwent chemotherapy and radiation. Around 40 doctors told me that I had between four days and four months to live. I met a doctor in Mumbai who said, let's talk. We worked together. I discovered a book called Yoga for Cancer, which helped me with my food, and it really cured me."
Kanika Tekriwal is an Indian entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of JetSetGo, a private aviation marketplace and aircraft management company. She was born on June 7, 1990. Kanika comes from a Marwari business family. She developed an early interest in entrepreneurship and finance.
She founded JetSetGo in 2012 with the aim of organizing and digitizing India’s fragmented private aviation sector. Under her leadership, the company became one of India’s leading private jet and helicopter charter platforms. She was recognized among the youngest wealthy women entrepreneurs in India.
Tekriwal gained wider public recognition after joining Shark Tank India as an investor (judge), where she evaluates and invests in emerging startups across various different sectors.
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While Tekriwal did not specify her cancer type on the show, according to various reports she was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma.
Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), formerly called Hodgkin disease, is a rare monoclonal lymphoid neoplasm with high cure rates. Biological and clinical studies divide this disease into two distinct categories: classical Hodgkin lymphoma and nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma. Hodgkin lymphoma generally has an excellent prognosis, with an overall cure rate of approximately 80%.1
Following her statements, several oncologists and medical professionals expressed concern. These concerns were not only about her personal journey, but about how the narrative was framed on a public platform.
Dr. Vartika Vishwani, MBBS, MS in General Surgery (Gold Medalist), and DNB in Surgical Oncology, emphasized the public health implications:
"As cancer doctors, we deeply respect survivor experiences. But it's important to be scientifically clear: modern cancer survival is built on evidence-based allopathic treatments. Supportive therapies can improve comfort — but they do not replace curative cancer treatment."
Dr. Vishwani clarified that while supportive therapies can improve comfort and quality of life, they cannot cure cancer. She stressed that Tekriwal’s survival was due to evidence-based treatment, not in spite of it.
Dr. Rahul Chawla, DM Neurology, a neurologist, wrote:
"Cancer survivors deserve respect. They inspire hope. But they cannot become role models if they spread half-truths and misinformation. Because when people hear this, they start believing chemo doesn’t work, delay proper treatment, and run after unproven therapies. And in cancer, delay can cost lives."
Experts stress that while diet and yoga can contribute significantly to recovery, immunity, and overall well-being, they do not replace oncological treatment.
See also: QARTEMI–India’s Second CART-T cell Therapy for Adult B-cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Dr. Vishwani expressed particular concern about the potential consequences of such statements from a public figure.
Potential harms include:
Undermining trust in evidence-based medicine
Encouraging treatment delays or refusal
Creating false equivalence between supportive and curative therapies
The concern is especially significant in India, where late presentation of cancer is already common. Delays caused by pursuing alternative therapies are a major contributor to advanced disease progression.
Doctors acknowledge that CBD and similar supportive therapies have legitimate roles in cancer care, but their use must be clearly understood.
What CBD can help with:
Pain management
Appetite stimulation
Nausea reduction
CBD cannot:
Cure cancer
Replace chemotherapy
Replace radiation therapy
Replace surgery
Cancer survivorship stories carry immense emotional weight. They offer hope, resilience, and strength to millions. However, healthcare professionals argue that public figures also carry responsibility when discussing medical treatments.
Supportive therapies, lifestyle changes, and integrative approaches can enhance recovery, but the foundation of cancer cure lies in evidence-based oncology treatments.
What did Kanika Tekriwal say about her cancer treatment on Shark Tank India?
Kanika Tekriwal shared that she was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 21 and underwent chemotherapy and radiation. During the episode, she expressed dislike for allopathy and mentioned that diet, lifestyle changes, and a book titled Yoga for Cancer helped her recovery.
What type of cancer did Kanika Tekriwal have?
According to previous media reports, Kanika Tekriwal was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma, a type of lymphatic system cancer that has a high cure rate when treated with modern chemotherapy and radiation.
Can diet and yoga cure cancer?
Medical experts state that while diet, yoga, and lifestyle changes can support recovery, improve immunity, and enhance overall well-being, they do not cure cancer.
What role does CBD play in cancer treatment?
CBD (cannabidiol) may help manage symptoms such as pain, nausea, and appetite loss during cancer treatment. However, Dr. Vishwani emphasize that CBD does not cure cancer and cannot replace chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery.
References:
1. Kaseb H, Babiker HM. Hodgkin Lymphoma. [Updated 2023 Jun 26]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499969/
