Actor Hina Khan has spoken about the taboos faced by artists in the entertainment industry diagnosed with cancer. After revealing her stage three breast cancer diagnosis last year, Khan emphasised the importance of maintaining normalcy at work and addressed societal expectations that cancer patients should withdraw from professional life.
Speaking to ANI, she stated, “A person battling cancer doesn’t need to stop working,” and expressed her intent to continue acting as long as her health permits.
Khan described managing her career alongside treatment, challenging the notion that cancer patients must halt their professional activities. She said, “This taboo that a cancer patient has to sit at home and do nothing, and that their life is over, is not true. A few days are difficult, but after that, you can get back to work. You should have that will, that strength and the love of your family.”
Khan underscored the importance of mental health and encouragement from family. She cited mental resilience as essential, stating, “I will always keep doing this (acting), provided my body supports me. Your mental strength is the most important thing. Therefore, you must be mentally strong and remain happy. If you think this (cancer) is nothing, it becomes nothing.”
In June last year, Khan publicly announced her diagnosis via social media, informing fans she had been diagnosed with stage three breast cancer. She shared, “I have been diagnosed with stage three breast cancer. Despite this challenging diagnosis, I wish to reassure everyone that I am doing well. I am strong, determined, and fully committed to overcoming this disease. My treatment has already begun, and I am ready to do everything necessary to emerge from this even stronger.”
Khan requested privacy while expressing gratitude for the encouragement she received. “I kindly ask for your respect and privacy during this time. I deeply appreciate your love, strength, and blessings. Your personal experiences, anecdotes, and supportive suggestions would mean the world to me as I navigate this journey. I, along with my family and loved ones, remain focused, determined, and positive. With the grace of the almighty, we believe I will overcome this challenge and will be completely healthy.”
Khan rose to prominence with her performance in ‘Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai’ and later as Komolika in ‘Kasautii Zindagii Kay.’ She has also appeared in reality television and recently starred in the web series ‘Griha Laxmi.’ Her diagnosis came shortly after completing this project, and she has remained visible in the industry despite her health challenges.
By openly discussing her experience, Khan aims to challenge taboos surrounding illness and work in the entertainment industry. Her statements highlight the need for greater awareness about the realities of living and working with a serious diagnosis, focusing on resilience and the ongoing contributions of artists facing health issues.
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‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.indiatoday.in ’
