Archive · 12 Aug 2026
Chef Pankaj Bhadouria Opens Up About Chemotherapy Hair Loss
A famous cook named Chef Pankaj Bhadouria is being treated for breast cancer.
She shared a picture of hair falling out of her comb.
The cancer medicine she takes is called chemotherapy, and it is very strong.
It kills fast-growing cells, but it also damages the cells that make hair.
That is why many patients lose their hair during treatment.
Losing hair made Bhadouria feel shocked and sad, and she said it stopped her breath.
Doctors say hair is very important to how women see themselves.
Some patients feel embarrassed or do not want to go out with other people.
The good news is that hair usually grows back after treatment ends.
But doctors say feeling better inside can take longer than the hair growing back.
Chef Pankaj Bhadouria, a MasterChef India winner, spoke candidly about losing her hair during chemotherapy and posted a photo of hair clumps in her comb.
Bhadouria, who has breast cancer, described the moment of hair loss as having "stopped my breath."
Chemotherapy causes hair loss because it targets all rapidly dividing cells, including hair follicle cells.
Experts and cancer organizations note that hair loss can disrupt body image and emotional wellbeing, causing embarrassment, anger, withdrawal or depression.
Hair loss is generally temporary, but experts say psychological recovery may not follow the same timetable as physical regrowth.
- Who
- Chef Pankaj Bhadouria, MasterChef India winner being treated for breast cancer, with expert commentary from oncologist Dr Ramesh Sarin of Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi.
- What
- Bhadouria publicly spoke about and showed her chemotherapy-induced hair loss, prompting a discussion of the psychological toll it takes on women cancer patients.
- When
- Recently; the article does not give a specific date.
- Where
- India, with expert medical commentary originating from New Delhi.
- Why
- Chemotherapy targets rapidly dividing cells including hair follicles, and visible hair loss disrupts body image, identity and a patient's sense of control.
- Person
- Chef Pankaj Bhadouria, MasterChef India winner
- Condition
- Breast cancer; undergoing chemotherapy
- News hook
- Posted a photo of hair clumps in her comb
- Her reaction
- Described the moment as having "stopped my breath"
- Medical cause
- Chemotherapy targets rapidly dividing cells, including hair follicle cells
- Expert
- Dr Ramesh Sarin, clinical advisor, breast oncology, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi
- Affected hair
- Scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes and other body hair
- Outlook
- Hair loss generally temporary; regrowth may differ in texture before settling