Celebrity chef and MasterChef India Season 1 winner Pankaj Bhadouria has disclosed that her cancer treatment is far from over, revealing she must now undergo 12 sessions of chemotherapy and one year of targeted therapy after post-surgery biopsies detected an invasive HER2-positive component. The update, shared via a personal video on social media, marks a significant shift from the recovery timeline her doctors had initially outlined.

Surgery and the Initial Prognosis

Bhadouria had undergone breast cancer surgery on 29 May 2025, which she described as successful. Her medical team had told her that just four weeks of rest would be sufficient before she could resume her professional commitments. The chef publicly announced her diagnosis on 28 May 2025, sharing a photograph from her hospital bed with the message: 'I have been diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Need your prayers and support.'

What the Biopsy Revealed

Detailed post-operative biopsy reports have since altered the course of her treatment. The reports identified an invasive component of 2 mm that tested HER2-positive — a protein marker that can accelerate cancer cell growth and typically requires a more aggressive treatment protocol. As a result, Bhadouria now faces a significantly longer medical journey than first anticipated.

'In post-surgery detailed biopsies, there is an invasive component of 2 mm, which is HER2 positive. As a result, I have to go for 12 sessions of chemotherapy now, and one year of targeted therapy,' she explained in her video.

Bhadouria's Response to the Setback

Acknowledging that the prospect of chemotherapy has left her 'a little scared,' Bhadouria said she intends to face the challenge with the same composure she brings to her culinary work. 'I am going to take this just like I tackle all my other problems. One day at a time. One dish at a time. The kitchen is not closed yet, my friends. There are many recipes and tips left,' she said.

She also expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support she received after her initial diagnosis, saying the love from her followers was something she could 'never thank enough.'

Who Is Pankaj Bhadouria

Pankaj Bhadouria rose to national prominence after winning the inaugural season of MasterChef India in 2010, becoming the country's first-ever MasterChef winner. Before her culinary career, she reportedly spent 16 years as an English teacher, leaving the profession to participate in the reality cooking show. She has since built a substantial following as a chef, food educator, and television personality.

As Bhadouria prepares to begin chemotherapy, her candid disclosures have resonated with followers and cancer awareness advocates alike, underlining the unpredictability of post-surgical oncology outcomes even when initial procedures appear successful.