Arij Fatyma shares heartfelt account of ‘rare and aggressive cancer’ battle

Former actress Arij Fatyma Jafri opened up about her battle with choriocarcinoma, a "rare” and “aggressive” form of cancer, in an emotional Instagram post that moved her fans and fellow celebrities.

Sharing her journey in a heartfelt video, Arij admitted she had hesitated for months before going public with the diagnosis, explaining that not everyone reacts with genuine empathy. 

“Not everyone who follows you is truly happy for your happiness, sad for your sadness, or grieving for your grief. Sincerity can be rare,” she said.

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The Hasad actress revealed that her cancer was detected at a very early stage, something she described as a huge blessing because choriocarcinoma is often discovered too late. 

The cancer, she explained, is a fast-spreading disease that can develop after a molar pregnancy, a rare condition where abnormal tissue grows in the uterus instead of a normal pregnancy.

While molar pregnancies themselves are uncommon, in extremely rare cases, they can turn into choriocarcinoma, as happened in her case.

Expressing gratitude, Arij said, “Alhamdulillah, I am blessed to be living what feels like a second life. This illness was written in my destiny, yet Allah helped me overcome it and brought me closer to Him in ways I can never thank Him enough for.”

Although she now faces years of follow-up tests to ensure the cancer does not return, the actress said the experience has changed her outlook on life, making her live more intentionally.

She urged her followers to prioritise their health, get regular checkups, and never ignore warning signs.

“Please keep me and my family in your prayers,” she said, adding that illness serves as a reminder of life’s fragility and the importance of family and faith.