South Korean actress Park Mi-sun has candidly shared her journey battling breast cancer.
On the October 12th episode of the tvN variety show 'You Quiz on the Block,' Park Mi-sun made a special appearance. After being diagnosed with breast cancer, she took a break from all broadcasting activities starting in January and has now returned to television after nearly a year.
During the show, Park Mi-sun revealed, "When I was first diagnosed, it didn't feel real. My strength hasn't fully returned yet." She received her breast cancer diagnosis in December of last year. "In February last year, my breast ultrasound was fine. But during a comprehensive check-up in December, I was advised to get a mammogram, which showed something unusual. A biopsy confirmed it was breast cancer," she explained.
She underwent surgery on Christmas Eve, but the cancer had already spread to her lymph nodes. Park Mi-sun shared, "When it spreads, chemotherapy is inevitable. That's why the chemotherapy process was lengthy."
During chemotherapy, she also faced a challenging bout with pneumonia. "Pneumonia is extremely dangerous for cancer patients," she noted. "Not knowing the cause, they bombarded me with antibiotics for two weeks. What should have been four treatments stretched to twelve. After that, I underwent sixteen rounds of radiation therapy, and I'm currently on medication," she said.
Reflecting on her battle, she said, "The treatment meant to save me felt like it was killing me. I lost my voice completely. My peripheral nerves were paralyzed, and I lost sensation. Herpes outbreaks were so severe that my skin was in tatters."
She continued, "I can't use the word 'cured' for my breast cancer. I have to live cautiously. I've accepted it and live with the mindset that if it returns, I'll just have surgery again."
Park Mi-sun also spoke about changes in her husband, Lee Bong-won. "He never used to express himself, but he said, 'What does it matter if you can't work? I'm here.' He registered me at the hospital with his card," she shared. "He's become gentler with me, sending me whatever I want to eat. If he didn't change, would he still be human?" she joked.
Despite her struggles, Park Mi-sun maintained a positive outlook. "I'm grateful that I was sick in the winter and received treatment in a cool place during the summer," she said. "So many people worried and cared for me. Being sick made me realize how much love I have around me."
By Tae Yuna, TenAsia Reporter youyou@tenasia.co.kr