Hina Khan Reveals Why She Could Not Expose Her Scalp Amid Stage Three Breast Cancer Battle
Hina Khan, a beloved name in the Indian entertainment industry, has been courageously navigating her fight against stage three breast cancer since her diagnosis in June 2024. Known for her iconic roles in shows like Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai and Kasautii Zindagii Kay 2, the actress has not only inspired fans with her performances but also with her resilience in the face of adversity. In a recent exclusive interview with Pinkvilla, Hina opened up about a lesser-known struggle during her cancer journey—why she couldn’t expose her scalp—and shared how this challenge impacted her physically and emotionally.
A Painful Side Effect of Treatment
Hina’s battle with breast cancer has been marked by numerous challenges, from undergoing chemotherapy to managing the emotional toll of the disease. Among these, one unexpected hurdle stood out: severe migraines triggered by exposing her scalp. “Throughout my journey, I could not expose my scalp because I used to get migraines,” Hina revealed. “The migraines did not last for 1-2 hours. Whenever I used to remove my cap or wig, within 15-20 minutes, I used to get a migraine, and it used to continue for days.”
This condition forced Hina to keep her head covered at all times, whether with a cap or a wig, as a means of managing the debilitating pain. She also spoke about additional side effects, such as pigmentation on her scalp, which left lasting scars. “I got pigmentation and a lot of things. I still have scars from my pigmentation. Due to this, I had to keep myself covered the whole time,” she explained. As a result, Hina consciously avoided sharing images of her bald head, despite initially intending to embrace and flaunt it as part of her journey.
A Promise Unfulfilled
Hina had previously expressed her desire to normalize her baldness and inspire others by confidently showcasing it. However, the severity of her migraines made this impossible. “I had promised to flaunt my bald head, but then I felt that I shouldn’t do it as I am unable to do it,” she admitted. “It was not possible to keep my head open, and thus I didn’t flaunt it.” This decision wasn’t just about physical discomfort—it was also about protecting her mental well-being during an already taxing period.
In a poignant moment from the interview, Hina recounted using her condition to motivate someone else. She shared how she briefly removed her cap to show her scalp to a worker at her home, urging him to quit chewing gutka (a form of tobacco) by highlighting the serious health consequences she was enduring. The worker refrained from using it the next day, a small victory that underscored Hina’s determination to turn her pain into purpose.
Facing Cancer with Courage
Hina’s openness about her cancer journey has been a source of inspiration for many. Since announcing her diagnosis, she has documented key moments—such as shaving her head and returning to work—while keeping much of her struggle private. She has emphasized that what she shares publicly is only a fraction of her experience, choosing to reveal more when she feels ready. “I am keeping 99 percent of my struggle with stage 3 breast cancer private on social media,” she noted in a prior interview, highlighting her focus on healing at her own pace.
Despite the physical and psychological toll, Hina remains steadfast. She has resumed work, promoting her latest web series Griha Laxmi and even walking the ramp at Times Fashion Week 2024 during her chemotherapy cycles. “The only thing in this entire world which keeps me away and on my toes, and I forget what is happening in the world, is my work,” she told Hindustan Times. Her return to routine has been a lifeline, offering her strength and a sense of normalcy.
Raising Awareness Through Vulnerability
Hina’s story is a powerful reminder of the unseen battles cancer patients endure beyond the disease itself. Her migraines, pigmentation, and the emotional weight of altering her self-image are just a few examples of the complex realities she faces. By sharing these details, she not only humanizes her experience but also underscores the importance of listening to one’s body and seeking timely medical attention—a lesson she learned after initially dismissing her symptoms as a minor infection.
As Hina continues her treatment, her fans and well-wishers rally around her, moved by her honesty and grit. Her journey reflects a universal truth: courage isn’t the absence of fear or pain, but the will to push forward despite them. “We may be scarred, but we must not be scared,” she wrote in an earlier Instagram post, a mantra that continues to define her fight.
Hina Khan’s revelation about why she couldn’t expose her scalp adds another layer to her inspiring narrative, proving once again that even in vulnerability, there is immense strength. As she battles on, she remains a beacon of hope, encouraging others to face their challenges head-on, one resilient step at a time.
