It's rightly said love overcomes everything and has the power to turn fate. Popular actor Sharib Hashmi, best known for playing JK Talpade in The Family Man web series, has gained accolades for his witty roles and one-liners. In real life, he shows what true love is and how only love conquers and battles everything.
The actor recently opened up about his wife Nasreen's battle with oral cancer. He shared that she has survived the disease five times and has now relapsed for the sixth time.
Sharib Hashmi, while speaking to Hauterrfly about his wife Nasreen Hashmi's oral cancer relapse for the sixth time, said, "Nasreen's cancer is aggressive. She has undergone surgery five times now. She has relapsed five times. It has come back for the sixth time. This time it has spread everywhere. This shall pass too; the treatment is going on. Jis tareeke se ye deal kar rahi thi usse hum sab ko himmat fir milne lagi. Uska jo cancer hai, kaafi aggressive nature ka hai, isliye itni baar relapse hota hai lekin uske bawajoot bhi ye kaafi himmat ke saath ussey deal karti hain. Fight karti hain (The way she deals with it gives all of us courage. This form of cancer is very aggressive, hence it has relapsed so many times. But still, she has been fighting it bravely)."
But the family is now facing another setback, as the cancer has returned for the sixth time. In a conversation with Hauterrfly, Sharib Hashmi revealed that Nasreen was first diagnosed with oral cancer in 2018.
Nasreen, who appeared on the show alongside her husband, spoke about how Sharib stood by her throughout the difficult journey and supported her at every step. She said, "He didn't leave my side. Even if there was a shoot and he was busy, he still managed to reach the hospital. From the time we were in the hospital till discharge, he would take his bag and sit there. He would not move. Constantly, him being there used to feel very good to me, that he is there for me. That was comforting. In many ways, he has been there."
Sharib also broke down emotionally and shared their marriage story
Nasreen, who was first diagnosed in 2018 and married Sharib in 2003, added, "He didn't leave my side. Even if there was a shoot and he was busy, he still managed to reach the hospital. From the time we were in the hospital till discharge, he would take his bag and sit there. He would not move. Constantly, his being there used to feel very good to me. That he is there for me. That was comforting. In many ways, he has been there."
All you need to know about cancer relapse
As per a report in The Indian Express, Dr Hitesh Singhavi, consultant and head and neck oncosurgeon at KIMS Hospitals, Thane, said that when oral cancer comes back repeatedly, it means cancer cells have either survived treatment or developed again over time.
"A sixth recurrence indicates that the disease has become more aggressive and resistant to treatment," said Dr Singhavi.
Recurrence may occur at the original site, in nearby tissues, in lymph nodes, or in distant organs. "For head and neck cancers, doctors also watch for a second primary cancer, which is a completely new cancer appearing in the oral cavity or nearby areas due to long-term exposure to harmful substances. The rate of second primary cancers in head and neck cancer patients is about 7 to 10 per cent, making lifelong monitoring very important," he explained.
Each relapse requires a new evaluation because treatment options, outlook and care goals may change with every recurrence.
Why does oral cancer returns in some patients?
Oral cancer has a high recurrence rate among head and neck cancers, especially in individuals who keep chewing tobacco, smoking, drinking alcohol, or have poor oral hygiene. Even after successful treatment, tiny cancer cells may remain hidden and later reactivate, said Dr Singhavi.
Another significant reason is something called field cancerisation. "Long-term exposure to harmful substances can damage the whole lining of the mouth and upper airway, making it susceptible to repeated cancerous changes and new tumours," said Dr Singhavi.
Dr Mohsin Shaikh, consultant and head and neck oncosurgeon at the Head & Neck Cancer Institute of India (HNCII), reiterated that often the lining of the mouth has already suffered long-term damage from carcinogen exposure.
"This makes it more likely to develop cancer again. However, recurrence does not always mean that treatment options are exhausted. With early diagnosis, regular follow-up, and improvements in surgery, radiation, immunotherapy and targeted treatments, many patients can still manage their disease and maintain a better quality of life. Being aware of warning signs and monitoring patients for life is key to improving outcomes," said Dr Shaikh.
The risk of recurrence also heavily depends on the stage at diagnosis. Over a five-year period:
- Stage 1: about 5 to 10% recurrence risk
- Stage 2: around 10 to 20% recurrence risk
- Stage 3: nearly 20 to 40% recurrence risk
- Stage 4: can exceed 40% recurrence risk
Late diagnosis, aggressive tumour characteristics, lymph node involvement and incomplete follow-up can further raise the chances of recurrence, he added.
Are some oral cancer patients more vulnerable to recurrence than others?
Yes, said Dr Singhavi, explaining that patients diagnosed at an advanced stage, those with larger tumours, lymph node spread, close or positive surgical margins, or aggressive tumour behaviour generally have a higher risk of recurrence.
Poor nutrition, weak immune systems, uncontrolled health issues and irregular follow-up visits can also harm long-term disease control, he added.
Some cancers are more likely to come back depending on how aggressive they are and their stage at diagnosis. "Oral cancer, ovarian cancer, glioblastoma, bladder cancer, certain breast cancers and some blood cancers like leukemia can recur even after strong treatment," he noted.
Recurrent oral cancers can become progressively more difficult to manage because the disease may adapt over time.
"Doctors usually reassess the stage, spread and overall health condition before deciding the next line of treatment, which may include targeted therapy, immunotherapy, surgery, radiation or supportive care approaches," said Dr Mandeep Singh Malhotra, director of surgical oncology at CK Birla Hospital, Delhi.
Can recurrent oral cancer be prevented or detected early?
The key step is strict and lifelong follow-up after treatment. Patients should report warning signs immediately.
Since patients with head and neck cancer have a lifelong risk of both recurrence and new tumours, regular monitoring with clinical exams and imaging, when necessary, is vital. Early detection allows quicker treatment, which can greatly improve survival and quality of life.
