Actor recounts cousin’s cancer diagnosis, stresses importance of paying attention to unexpected physical changes
Actor Tauseeq Haider urged people to take sudden weight changes seriously, warning that unexpected weight loss should not be viewed as a compliment but as a potential medical concern.
Haider appeared on Nida Yasir’s morning show alongside fellow-actor Fareeda Shabbir and medical experts to discuss the warning signs associated with sudden weight loss and weight gain. Sharing a personal experience, he said, “In my family, we had a very healthy cousin. Her weight started to decrease and people kept complimenting her, asking what she had done to lose weight. The reality was that she hadn’t done anything. After six months, she was diagnosed with cancer.”
He added that rapid, unintentional weight loss should always raise concerns. “Doctors can explain it better, but losing weight suddenly is a high alert. You shouldn’t just be happy because your cheeks are slimmer or your jawline is visible. Losing four kilogrammes in one month without trying is a concern. It is a warning sign.”
The actor clarified that his cousin underwent chemotherapy and eventually recovered but the experience taught him the importance of paying attention to unexpected physical changes.
Fareeda also shared a similar experience involving her husband, who experienced rapid weight gain rather than loss. “My husband was gaining a lot of weight, despite always eating the same way and never having this issue before. We immediately considered it a red flag,” she said, noting that the weight gain was linked to an underlying medical condition.
Medical expert Dr Uzma Hameed, who also appeared on the show, agreed with the actors’ observations. “Both sudden weight gain and sudden weight loss can be dangerous,” she explained. She also emphasised that intentional weight changes resulting from diet or lifestyle adjustments are different from unexplained changes, saying, “If there is no deliberate effort to lose or gain weight, then a sudden change is a cause for concern.”
The doctor further explained that thyroid-related issues are among the common causes of unexpected weight fluctuations. “When patients come to me with these symptoms, one of the first things I evaluate is the thyroid gland. Excess thyroid hormone can cause rapid weight loss, while insufficient hormone production can lead to weight gain,” she said, stressing the importance of blood tests in identifying such conditions.
The discussion highlighted an important health message that sudden or unexplained changes in body weight should never be ignored as they may potentially point to an underlying medical condition that the individual may be unaware of.