Actor Hina Khan Says Spirituality Helped During Chemotherapy

After battling Stage 3 breast cancer, Hina Khan says spirituality gave her the strength to navigate chemotherapy, hair loss, and body changes.

Television actor Hina Khan has shared one of the most personal chapters of her life, revealing how spirituality became her biggest source of strength while undergoing treatment for Stage 3 breast cancer.

In a candid conversation on Soha Ali Khan’s All About Her podcast, Hina reflected on the physical and emotional toll of chemotherapy, saying that while the treatment changed her body, it also changed her perspective on life.

“I Put On Weight, Lost My Hair”

Hina recalled how difficult it was to see her appearance change during treatment. She said she gained weight, lost her hair—including her eyelashes—and struggled to recognize herself in the mirror.

“It was hard,” she admitted, explaining that she had always been petite, so the sudden physical changes were emotionally overwhelming. Although she initially tried to stay strong, she said the reality of her diagnosis eventually caught up with her.

Finding Strength Beyond Physical Appearance

Despite the challenges, Hina said she kept reminding herself that the changes were temporary. She shared that while appearance naturally matters, mental well-being matters even more.

According to the actor, cancer patients need to surround themselves with positivity, whether that comes from family, faith, meditation, or spirituality. “Especially spirituality. It has changed me,” Hina said, adding that learning to focus on inner peace helped her cope with the uncertainty of treatment.

Chemotherapy Was the Toughest Part

Speaking about chemotherapy, Hina didn’t shy away from describing how painful the experience was. She explained that she underwent treatment every three weeks, and the first week after each chemotherapy session was always the hardest. “The first week used to be extremely hard. Extremely painful,” she said, noting that the side effects varied depending on the medication but often left her exhausted and in severe discomfort.

Diagnosed With Stage 3 Breast Cancer

Hina first revealed her Stage 3 breast cancer diagnosis in June 2024, assuring fans that she was determined to fight the disease and remain positive throughout her treatment. Since then, she has regularly shared updates about her recovery, hoping to normalize conversations around cancer and encourage others facing similar challenges.

Stage 3 Breast Cancer: Fresh Insights

Stage 3 breast cancer is considered an advanced but still potentially treatable stage of the disease. At this stage, the cancer has spread beyond the breast to nearby lymph nodes or surrounding tissues, such as the chest wall or skin, but has not spread to distant organs like the lungs, liver, bones, or brain.

Treatment involves a combination of chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, and, depending on the type of breast cancer, hormone therapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy. With timely, personalized treatment, many people with Stage 3 breast cancer can achieve long-term remission and continue to live full, active lives.

Support From Family and Fans Made a Difference

Alongside spirituality, Hina credited the love and encouragement she received from family, friends, and fans for helping her stay strong. She said creating a positive environment around herself became just as important as the medical treatment itself. Instead of focusing on what she had lost, she tried to remind herself that healing takes time and that every difficult phase eventually passes.

Study Highlights the Role of Spirituality in Cancer Care

A 2025 study published in the European Journal of Oncology Nursing found that cancer patients receiving chemotherapy who reported higher levels of spiritual well-being also demonstrated greater psychological resilience. ()

The researchers concluded that incorporating spiritual care into routine oncology services could help patients better cope with the emotional distress and physical challenges associated with chemotherapy, highlighting spirituality as an important component of comprehensive cancer care.

Continuing to Inspire Others

Throughout her cancer journey, Hina has continued to speak openly about the realities of treatment—from hair loss and body image to emotional resilience. Her honesty has resonated with many patients and caregivers who see her story as a reminder that healing is not only physical but also emotional.

By sharing her experience, Hina hopes others facing cancer will know they are not alone and that finding strength can come in many forms, whether through loved ones, faith, or simply taking one day at a time.

References:

1. Spiritual well-being and psychological resilience in outpatients receiving chemotherapy: The multiple mediating role of symptoms – (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1462388925002339)

Source-Medindia