Nafisa Ali Sodhi shares copper therapy glimpse amid stage 4 cancer battle
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Veteran actress and politician Nafisa Ali Sodhi has offered a candid window into her ongoing cancer journey, sharing a video on Instagram that shows her placing copper pipes on her abdomen — the site she says has been at the centre of her illness for the past eight and a half years. The post comes as she continues treatment for stage 4 ovarian and peritoneal cancer, which recently showed further progression.
What Nafisa Shared
In the video, Nafisa is seen resting with copper pipes placed on her abdomen while focusing on what she described as healing sounds and positive energy. 'Hi, look at what I'm up to. I've got copper pipes, I've put it on my abdomen where my cancer has troubled me for the past eight and a half years and I'm homing on to healing sounds and energies. The bed, just therapy in the sense of positivity while my doggy sleeps. Peacefully,' she said in the clip.
Her caption, however, took a measured, science-grounded turn. She noted that while wearing copper is unlikely to heal joint pains, the mineral is nutritionally significant when consumed through a balanced diet, supporting red blood cell generation, nerve cell maintenance, immune function, and collagen formation. She listed dietary sources — nuts, seeds, whole grains, organ meats, shellfish, and leafy greens — and emphasised that the body needs only a trace amount.
Her Cancer Journey So Far
Nafisa was first diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian and peritoneal cancer in November 2018, after initially receiving incorrect diagnoses. She subsequently responded to treatment and entered remission. However, in September 2026, a PET/CT scan revealed that the disease had progressed to the surface of her liver, upgrading her condition to stage 4. Her oncology team responded by changing her treatment plan to targeted therapy.
The 'Major Saab' actress has been notably open about her health on social media, using her platform both to document personal wellness practices and to share medically grounded information with her followers — an approach that has drawn both support and scrutiny.
Copper Therapy: What the Science Says
Copper as a dietary mineral is well-established in nutritional science, with the body requiring only trace amounts for core biological functions. However, experts broadly caution that topical or surface application of copper — as distinct from dietary intake — carries no clinically validated cancer-fighting properties. Nafisa's own caption draws this distinction, framing her practice as a source of positivity and sensory comfort rather than a medical cure.
What This Reflects
The post is part of a broader pattern among cancer patients who combine conventional treatment with complementary wellness rituals for psychological relief. Nafisa has been explicit that she is receiving targeted therapy through her medical team, and her copper practice appears positioned as an adjunct source of calm rather than a replacement for clinical care. Her openness continues to resonate with followers navigating their own long-term health battles.
As her targeted therapy continues, Nafisa remains one of India's most publicly candid voices on the lived experience of advanced cancer.