Bollywood veteran Nafisa Ali has once again captured attention, not with a film role, but with her battle against stage 4 peritoneal cancer. The actress recently shared a photo of herself sporting a bald look as she resumed chemotherapy. In her post, she captioned the image simply, “Power Positivity.” Her post has touched fans and friends across social media and netizens soon filling the comment’s section with love, wishing her a speedy recovery.
Despite the immense physical and emotional challenges of chemotherapy, Nafisa continues to face the treatment with remarkable courage and openness.
Nafisa Ali’s cancer journey
Nafisa Ali’s battle with cancer is not new. She was first diagnosed with stage 3 peritoneal and ovarian cancer in November 2018. By 2019, after rigorous treatment, she announced that she had overcome the illness. However, recently, she revealed that the cancer had relapsed, and it requires another round of chemotherapy.
Apart from the bald look, Nafisa has also shared glimpses of the emotional and physical side effects of chemotherapy. Patients undergoing chemotherapy often face fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, hair loss, and deal with a lot of overwhelming emotions. Nafisa’s candid posts show the real-life impact of cancer treatment, which talks about both the physical discomfort and the mental strength required to fight the disease.
What chemotherapy does to your body
Chemotherapy is a common treatment for cancer that works by targeting fast-growing cancer cells. However, it can also affect healthy cells, which leads to side effects. One of the most visible effects is hair loss, which can be distressing for patients. But why does it happen? According to the American Cancer Society, hair loss is usually temporary, and hair often begins to grow back after treatment ends.
Chemotherapy can also cause fatigue, as the body works overtime to repair healthy cells that are damaged during treatment. Patients may experience extreme tiredness that can affect daily activities. Other physical side effects include mouth sores, nausea, weakened immunity, and digestive problems. Because the immune system is weakened, patients need to be extra careful to avoid infections.
The treatment can also take a toll on mental health. Patients often face anxiety, mood swings, or depression while coping with the physical and emotional stress of cancer therapy.
Supportive care can make a big difference during chemotherapy. Seeking counselling when needed, eating a balanced diet, staying hydrated, and engaging in light exercise can help manage side effects and improve overall well-being. According to Cancer Research UK, mental health support and proper nutrition are the only way to maintain strength and energy during treatment, helping patients feel more in control of their journey.
Nafisa inspires fans with her positive attitude, even while dealing with hair loss, fatigue, and the emotional side effects of chemotherapy, connects with many people facing similar struggles.