Hina Khan Cancer Row: Misinformation, Miracle Cures & Toxic Positivity of Celebs

The concept of positivity in the face of a life-threatening diagnosis is far more complex, writes Urvashi Prasad.

The 'toxic positivity' of celebrity cancer survival stories.

(Photo: Aroop Mishra/The Quint)

Actor Rozlyn Khan recently took to social media to share the PET scan reports of fellow actor Hina Khan, igniting a storm of speculation regarding the accuracy of Hina's earlier health disclosures. Rozlyn claims that Hina has in fact been diagnosed with Stage 2 cancer, contradicting the latter’s previous assertion of having Stage 3 cancer. To bolster her statement, Rozlyn has released medical documents from Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital.

While I do not support the act of disclosing a patient's medical information without their consent, and the authenticity of these reports remains uncertain, this situation highlights significant concerns about the rampant spread of cancer misinformation in India, particularly involving celebrities.

Ironically, just a day prior, Hina Khan had shared a video featuring actor Sanjay Dutt, praising him for his courage in overcoming Stage 4 lung cancer.

Cured by a Miracle?

In this highly advanced stage of cancer, where the illness has extended its reach from the lungs to various other organs, it is typically viewed as incurable with the current state of medical knowledge. While chemotherapy can help manage the disease and extend life expectancy, it is not seen as a cure. The goal of treatment at this stage is primarily to improve quality of life and alleviate symptoms. 

Yet, Sanjay Dutt, who received a Stage 4 lung cancer diagnosis in August 2020, astonishingly declared himself to be cancer-free just three months later.

If this claim holds true, and he has genuinely overcome Stage 4 lung cancer through chemotherapy, both he and his oncologist deserve a place in the annals of medical history for such an unprecedented achievement. His case should have been documented in scientific literature and showcased at medical symposiums, as it represents a remarkable occurrence not only in India but globally.

I am aware of families who have sacrificed everything in their quest for a cure for loved ones facing the same diagnosis. There are individuals who have traversed continents in search of a miracle cure.

Yet, here stands a celebrity with a vast fanbase, asserting he has been cured of this grave illness as if by some magical intervention.

Toxic Positivity

In the video shared by Hina Khan on her Instagram profile, Sanjay Dutt not only spreads potentially misleading information but also endorses a dangerously oversimplified version of toxic positivity. While maintaining a hopeful outlook can undoubtedly be beneficial, it is crucial to acknowledge that a Stage 4 cancer diagnosis is one of the most harrowing experiences imaginable.

I faced this brutal truth at 35, and it shattered my existence. I was enveloped in shock, trauma, and deep despair.

Had someone suggested to me during that time to simply cherish the moment or live life to the fullest, I would have deemed them utterly disconnected from my reality. It was only after I began taking antidepressants that I started to reclaim a semblance of normalcy.

The concept of positivity in the face of a life-threatening diagnosis is far more complex than these celebrities often imply, as they frequently seek to portray themselves as “warriors” or adopt similar heroic labels.

In the video, Dutt shares his remarkable journey of overcoming the odds set by his doctor. During his chemotherapy, the doctor cautioned him about losing his hair, but Dutt boldly asserted that it wouldn’t happen. When informed that a tube would be inserted into his lungs for two months, he confidently predicted it would only be for two weeks. His predictions subsequently came to fruition. He used his experience to emphasise the importance of a resilient mindset during a cancer diagnosis, asserting that mental strength is as vital as medical intervention. Hina Khan resonated with his message, expressing her belief in the power of mind over matter.

Such narratives, however, can distort the realities of cancer treatment and impose additional pressure on those already in distress. Celebrating achievements like “hanging on a harness for six hours after chemotherapy for a film shoot,” as mentioned by Dutt’s doctor, necessitates a reminder that EVERY cancer patient is UNIQUE. Each person’s treatment path, side-effects and indeed outcomes, are different. Not everyone can perform stunts post-chemotherapy, and that is entirely normal and acceptable! 

In Cancer, There Is No One-Size-Fits-All Fomula

It is crucial to recognise the variety of experiences within the cancer community and to refrain from setting unrealistic expectations that may lead to feelings of inadequacy or failure among patients and their loved ones.

We must not make patients feel guilty by implying that their cancer could have been cured if only they had been “positive” enough. For the record, scientific evidence does not support the idea that “attitude” affects the risk of getting or surviving cancer.

If you have cancer, it is normal to have a broad range of feelings -- anger, sadness, hope, discouragement, hopelessness and others. It is also perfectly normal if you are deep in the throes of shock, trauma, and depression, like I was, and require mental health support. 

Not long ago, cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu made headlines during a press conference, promoting his so-called miracle diet as a cure for cancer, even though his wife had undergone every conceivable modern medicine therapy. Following that event, I was inundated with messages from patients eager to abandon their medications in favour of Sidhu’s diet.

I also received numerous notes from well-meaning individuals around the globe, chastising me for not adopting such a diet, suggesting that it could have saved me from my Stage 4 lung cancer. This only served to frustrate me further, especially as I grapple with a devastating illness. The last thing I need is guilt and blame heaped upon me.

The spread of misleading narratives about cancer treatment and recovery by celebrity cancer survivors -- and, dare I say, their celebrity doctors -- can lead to dire consequences. It is crucial to hold accountable those who propagate these myths, ensuring that accurate information is shared and that the complexities of cancer experiences are recognised and respected. 

We must stop casually tossing around terms like Stage 3 and Stage 4 without a true understanding of their implications. Additionally, we need to be more cautious with the term "cure" when discussing cancer. At Stage 4, while a cancer may enter remission for a few years, that does not equate to a cure. Such language is not only misleading but potentially harmful. The public deserves truthful and transparent information, especially regarding a highly sensitive topic like health and well-being.

(Urvashi Prasad is a Public Policy Specialist with NITI Aayog. She can be reached at @urvashi01. This is an opinion piece. The views expressed above are the author’s own. The Quint neither endorses nor is responsible for them.)