MasterChef India Season 1 winner Pankaj Bhadouria has been undergoing treatment for breast cancer. The chef has been sharing updates about her health since the diagnosis. In her Instagram post, she mentioned how her second chemotherapy took a toll on her health, leading to hair loss, and how it has changed everything for her and her family.
On September 1, 2026, Pankaj uploaded pictures offering a glimpse into her August, revealing how eventful the month was for her. She shared, “August turned out to be quite eventful! It started with my second Chemotherapy that hit me really hard. It took a major toll on my health and hair too. Despite all precautions, preventive medicines and care, I was weakened by infections one after the other that took a massive toll on my physical health.”
Bhadouria specifically highlighted the side effects of the treatment, especially the hair loss, and said, “And then came the other after effects- the major being hair loss! Believe me, nothing prepares you for it when it actually hits you. Losing my tresses was a shocker that took time coming to terms.”
However, the chef also reflected on the positive side revealing as the month passed she had better days that brought joy and happiness as she also visited her brother, has sweets a bit and celebrated Raksha Bandhan: “But then, as the month moved on came in days that brought in joy and happiness- so many friends from far and near coming to visit me, celebrating festivals, I even snuck in a few sweets!
And then finally, an evening out with the family after 3 whole months! Yes, we ate out, and it felt so good! It felt like a step towards recovery.”
Reflecting on how cancer has changed lives, Pankaj said, “It’s funny how a word like ‘Cancer’ changes your entire life and that of your family around you too. But then we are learning to live with it in the best way anyone can- with love, support and hope!”
Pankaj Bhadouria revealed her breast cancer diagnosis on May 28, 2026, by sharing a photo from her hospital bed on Instagram. She later underwent surgery on June 24, after which scans detected a 2 mm invasive mass, for which the doctors prescribed Pankaj 12 chemotherapy sessions along with a year of targeted therapy.
