‘He’s fighting cancer and still scored 92%’: Mumbai teen’s SSC result moves doctors and teachers

Mumbai: For most teenagers, Class X board examinations mean stress, tuitions and long study hours. For 16-year-old Atif Shaikh from Mira Road, the battle was more brutal as it involved chemotherapy sessions.

Yet, the teenager battling an aggressive bone cancer scored 92% in the recent SSC examinations.

The result left his family, teachers and doctors emotional. “I keep thinking … if my son could score 92% while fighting cancer that has spread to his lungs, what would he achieve if life had been normal?” said his father, Akbar Shaikh.

For the past three years, Atif has been battling Ewing sarcoma, a rare and aggressive bone cancer. His Class X year was spent between hospital wards, operation theatres and radiation units. But he refused to “miss a year” in studies; he wrote his Class IX examinations last year sitting in a wheelchair. Unable to attend classes regularly, Atif studied for Class X through YouTube videos and self-study from home and hospital beds.

Doctors at Wadia Hospital, Parel, say the teenager has amazed everyone. “Despite his advanced disease, he remains mobile and is always smiling,” said Dr Geeta Mudaliar. “He and his father keep saying, ‘Whatever treatment is available, we will continue.’ He is extraordinarily brave.”

The illness began with pain in his right thigh, initially dismissed as a cricket injury. Painkillers brought temporary relief before an MRI finally revealed the diagnosis.

Akbar Shaikh’s transport business collapsed during the Covid pandemic, and since then he has been doing odd jobs to support his family. Atif’s elder brother, despite scoring 86% in the recent Class XII (commerce) exams, plans to move to correspondence studies to help the family.

Amid the hardship, Atif continues to dream. He has now applied for science admission at Royal College, Mira Road. “The principal told me Atif could be a student even if he cannot attend classes regularly.”