Actress Hina Khan has opened up about her battle with breast cancer, saying spirituality played a key role in helping her cope with the physical and emotional challenges of chemotherapy.

Hina, best known for the television series Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, revealed in June 2024 that she had been diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer.

Speaking on actress Soha Ali Khan's All About Her podcast in December 2025, Hina reflected on her cancer journey, describing it as one of the toughest phases of her life.

She said the treatment brought major physical changes, including weight gain, hair loss and the loss of her eyelashes.

"I put on a lot of weight. My body changed. I lost my hair. That's one blow, which is very hard," she said.

Hina admitted that seeing herself in the mirror was emotionally difficult. While she initially tried to remain strong, the reality of her diagnosis and treatment gradually became harder to accept.

However, she said the support of family and loved ones, along with her faith, helped her stay positive.

"I have always believed that everything in life is temporary. Physical appearance changes. Vanity affects you, but sanity should replace it," she said.

The actress encouraged cancer patients to surround themselves with positivity through family, meditation, faith or spirituality.

"Especially spirituality. It has changed me," she said.

Hina also stressed the importance of giving one's best during treatment, even though the outcome is beyond anyone's control.

Recalling her chemotherapy sessions, she described the first week after each treatment as the most difficult.

"It was tough. Really tough. Those days were extremely hard," she said.

Hina underwent chemotherapy every three weeks. She said the first week after each session was marked by severe pain, particularly nerve pain throughout her body.

"The pain was unbearable," she said, adding that medication helped reduce the discomfort but did not eliminate it completely.

She said the following two weeks were usually much better, allowing her to travel and continue doing the things she enjoyed.

"It's the way you look at it," she said.

Rather than viewing cancer as the end of her journey, Hina said she chose to see it as a temporary phase in life.

"There are good days too," she said, adding that she was determined to fight the disease and make the most of every day instead of giving up.

Source: NDTV