Presenter Samia Afreen, who has battled cancer for five years, is facing a second malignant tumour detected three months ago. This time, doctors diagnosed ovarian cancer. She underwent immediate surgery, and tests identified it as a “high-grade carcinoma”. She is now receiving chemotherapy.
Samia revealed the news in a Facebook post on Sunday, 23 August, alongside a video of her new short haircut.
“Just three months ago, a second malignant tumour was detected in my body—ovarian cancer. I had to undergo surgery immediately. Unfortunately, it was a high-grade carcinoma, so I now have to go through chemotherapy,” she wrote.
This is her first experience with chemotherapy. Her first cancer was treated with immunotherapy.
“I have been fighting cancer for the past five years. The first time, I did not have to undergo chemotherapy; I was treated with immunotherapy. So this experience is somewhat different for me,” she wrote.
Doctors warned that chemotherapy could cause hair loss. Samia chose to cut her hair and embrace the change.
“The doctor said my hair may fall out because of chemotherapy. So instead of feeling upset about it, I decided to accept it spontaneously. There is no point in feeling bad about everything—the important thing is to be able to adapt to things with time,” she said.
“I know my hair may fall out in a few days. But before that happens, I wanted to celebrate this new look and motivate myself a little,” she added.
“Those who have been through this journey know how difficult this fight is. I truly hope that none of my loved ones ever have to go through a journey like this,” she wrote.
She asked for prayers, writing, “May Allah make everything easier for me. Just as I did the last time, I hope I can stay strong this time as well and return to my normal life very soon.”
Samia was first diagnosed in 2022 after physical discomfort in April. Tests in Dhaka detected a tumour. She later travelled to Singapore with her husband, where doctors confirmed stage-four colon cancer that had spread to her lungs and lymph nodes.
She eventually chose immunotherapy at a government hospital, receiving doses every 21 days. Despite severe weakness, trembling and skin problems, she continued working and meeting friends.
“I did not want to think mentally that I was sick. I did not want to think that because of my illness I could not do this or that,” she said.
“Those things cannot be stopped. Everything has to continue,” she added.
She kept her illness private, sharing it with family and close friends because she did not want sympathy. After two years of treatment, her condition stabilised, and doctors were hopeful the cancer had stopped spreading.
“Whether it is a miracle or because of medicine, the cancer is no longer spreading. What remains is also in a dormant state,” she had said.
Now, Samia faces another fight, determined to accept the changes, stay strong and keep moving forward.
