Popular television presenter Samia Afrin is undergoing treatment for cancer and facing the emotional challenges of chemotherapy-related hair loss. However, she has not had to face this difficult journey alone. In a heartfelt gesture of love and solidarity, her husband, S. M. Rezaul Imran, and their eldest son, Ahanaph Arabi, have also shaved their heads to support her.

Knowing that chemotherapy could cause her hair to fall out, Samia had been preparing herself mentally for the change. She initially cut her hair short before asking her eldest son, Ahanaph, to shave her head. To show his love and support for his mother, Ahanaph shaved his own head as well. Her husband, Rezaul Imran, followed suit so that she would not feel alone during this challenging period.

On September 15, Samia shared a video of the head-shaving experience on Facebook, along with her reflections on the journey. Rather than allowing hair loss to affect her confidence, she decided to accept it as a natural part of her treatment. She believes that adapting to life’s changes is what truly matters.

Speaking to the media, Samia said that hair is only an aspect of outward beauty and that confidence matters most, regardless of whether someone has hair. She also expressed gratitude for being alive and able to walk, describing that ability as a significant blessing.

A Long and Difficult Battle With Cancer

Samia first learned that she had colon cancer in 2022. In April that year, she travelled to Singapore on medical advice. Following a series of tests, she discovered that the cancer had reached stage four. The prospect of surgery and chemotherapy left her emotionally devastated, and she even considered returning to Bangladesh without undergoing treatment.

Recalling the initial shock, Samia explained that she had not fully understood the seriousness of her condition when she first received the news. However, learning about the advanced stage of the cancer and the treatment required in Singapore overwhelmed her. She feared that treatment would completely change her way of life.

Following the advice of a doctor in Singapore, she began immunotherapy, marking the start of a new phase in her fight against the disease. She had to undergo treatment every 21 days, and the side effects were severe. After her first session, she experienced difficulty swallowing and skin irritation. Although she had been able to walk independently when travelling to Singapore, she needed a wheelchair on her return journey.

Even after returning to Bangladesh in 2023, Samia continued to experience serious health complications. At one point, severe bowel problems led to her hospitalisation, and she had to wear diapers. Describing the intensity of the pain, she said it was comparable to the pain experienced during natural childbirth.

Despite these difficulties, Samia continued her treatment. Her condition gradually improved, and she began returning to a more normal life. However, during a routine follow-up, genetic testing revealed a new cancer diagnosis involving her ovaries. She underwent surgery in Singapore on July 22 and is currently receiving chemotherapy in Bangladesh. She is expected to complete six chemotherapy cycles by December.

Describing her current treatment experience, Samia said she has difficulty experiencing the taste and smell of food. She also experiences facial redness and an itchy scalp. She noted that the severity of such suffering is difficult to explain to someone who has never experienced it.

Genetic testing also revealed an underlying genetic abnormality, raising concerns about the possibility of cancer developing elsewhere in her body in the future. Nevertheless, Samia remains hopeful and wants to believe that the disease will not return.

Finding Strength in Her Family’s Love

Samia lives in Banani with her husband, their two sons, and her parents, retired engineer Abdur Rahim and Jibon Nahar. Throughout their 27-year marriage, her husband, Rezaul Imran, has remained a source of support. She has also received encouragement from her parents and members of her in-laws’ family since the beginning of her illness.

Her eldest son, Ahanaph Arabi, also made significant changes to his life after learning about his mother’s diagnosis. He was studying in Canada when she was first diagnosed with cancer. Wanting to stay close to her during treatment, he left his studies there and returned to Bangladesh, where he later resumed his education. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) at a private university.

Explaining why he shaved his mother’s head and his own, Ahanaph said he wanted to show his support for her. When friends on campus asked about his new appearance, he explained his mother’s condition, and they responded with encouragement.

Describing how his mother’s illness affects his daily life, Ahanaph said that whatever he does, the thought that his mother has cancer remains in the back of his mind.

Samia has also taken legal guardianship of her brother’s son, Ayman Ausaf, who is currently studying at O Level.

According to Samia, managing the emotional strain of cancer treatment is just as important as dealing with its physical effects. Patients may sometimes become irritable, struggle to tolerate others or find it difficult to adjust to everyday situations. During these periods, patience, empathy and emotional support from family members can make a meaningful difference.

Raising Awareness About Cancer

On March 20, 2025, Samia publicly disclosed her cancer diagnosis at a fashion exhibition titled ‘Reevogue Wear to Care’, organised in Banani, Dhaka, to support cancer patients. Until then, only people close to her knew about her illness.

Since making her diagnosis public, she has regularly shared her experiences with cancer on social media. However, her goal is not simply to describe the pain of the disease. Through her posts, she also discusses the importance of remaining mentally strong, maintaining a positive outlook and drawing strength from family support.

Samia hopes that if her experiences provide even a little encouragement to a cancer patient or a family member, her efforts will have been worthwhile. Although negative comments are common on social media, she says she has encountered relatively few such responses on her own posts.

Her personal experience has also deepened her understanding of the challenges faced by people living with cancer. She already hosts a podcast called ‘Purpose by Samia’, where people affected by cancer share their experiences and offer encouragement to others.

As the founding director of the Ujjwala Foundation, she is also involved in organising medical camps and fundraising initiatives to support cancer patients. In the future, she hopes to do more to make cancer treatment more affordable and raise awareness about the disease.

Focusing on Treatment and Self-Care

Samia has always been conscious of regular exercise and healthy eating habits. Yet her experience has shown her that even a health-conscious lifestyle cannot eliminate every risk of illness. Her journey has taught her that living with a serious disease involves more than medical treatment; it also requires reorganising everyday life and adapting to new circumstances.

For now, she does not plan to return to television presenting or take on other professional commitments until she completes chemotherapy. Instead, she spends her time listening to music, singing, caring for