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Ranjana Srivastava

Ranjana Srivastava

The Guardian

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What Fifi the dog’s final months can show us about cancer treatment and caring until the end

“Ranjana, how long can Fifi live with liver cancer?” An unexpected aspect of being an oncologist (for humans) is being approached for advice about...

09.04.2024 80

The Guardian

Ranjana Srivastava

Patients keep asking if they should take cannabis for their cancer. The answer is still no

It’s fair to say my patients were using cannabis long before I knew it was a “thing”. My first memory of encountering the drug was a decade ago...

01.04.2024 7

The Guardian

Ranjana Srivastava

No one should see a chiropractor thinking they are seeing a doctor

”Don’t judge me, but I saw a chiropractor”, says my friend. Last time we discussed her lower back pain, I had advised her to keep moving, avoid...

12.03.2024 10

The Guardian

Ranjana Srivastava

What’s the best gift I can give my daughter at 16? The same gift my mother gave me

“Hold your mum’s hand and call an ambulance.” “Should I give her extra morphine?” “Good idea.” Then I say something I rarely say when I...

22.02.2024 3

The Guardian

Ranjana Srivastava

I’m an oncologist. This is what King Charles and my cancer patients have in common

“It must be cancer. Just look at her face and hair.” Even knowing that she meant well, I stopped my friend from speculating about his aunt....

13.02.2024 4

The Guardian

Ranjana Srivastava

Next time your doctor orders a scan, know the benefits but don’t forget to ask about the harm

“And one more thing, what do you want to do about this?” The trainee looks so apologetic that I suspect a medical error relating to our...

30.01.2024 4

The Guardian

Ranjana Srivastava

When my doctor couldn’t save my pregnancy, he did the next best thing

Nearing the end of his life, a patient tells me, “If you should ever need it, I hope your doctor is as good to you as you have been to me.” It is...

16.01.2024 3

The Guardian

Ranjana Srivastava

At first my dog was shunned by my ageing parents, now they can’t get enough of him

“Why do you want a dog? Don’t you have enough to do?” To be fair, my parents had reacted similarly to my decision to have a third child and...

19.12.2023 5

The Guardian

Ranjana Srivastava

As a doctor I’ve been given some inexpensive yet priceless gifts. These are my favourites

Every December a hospital communique concerning gifts “provided and received in the course of your work” lands in my inbox. It says, naturally,...

05.12.2023 6

The Guardian

Ranjana Srivastava

My young cancer patient refused all treatment. After her death I found out why

“Every time I talk to you, I feel more distressed.” Tears stream down the patient’s face as she claps her palms over both ears to shut me out. I...

21.11.2023 2

The Guardian

Ranjana Srivastava

The essential ingredient of a friendship at 50? Show up

“You look upset, how can I make you feel better?” The seriousness of the question and its sheer empathy stops me short in class. We are both...

31.10.2023 2

The Guardian

Ranjana Srivastava

Exercise is the prescription that every cancer patient deserves – and one they’re in control of

“Don’t take it personally, doctor, but it has been a dreadful experience.” I tell her that far from taking offence, I am sympathetic because in...

17.10.2023 1

The Guardian

Ranjana Srivastava

Under-reporting of sexual harm in Australian medicine is endemic

“And now, thanks to you, I have an upset surgeon on my hands. What do you think will happen to the waiting list?” As a senior surgeon bellows down...

03.10.2023 4

The Guardian

Ranjana Srivastava

There is no such thing as ‘just’ a GP. The best have a profound grasp of the human condition

“I am sorry to trouble you, but she says she’s bedbound and would rather die than have further chemo.” This message elicits the immediate...

20.09.2023 30

The Guardian

Ranjana Srivastava

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