Lee Hye-young reveals lung cancer diagnosis, shares family history of illness

South Korean singer and actress Lee Hye-young has shared her personal battle with lung cancer, revealing the diagnosis came on a particularly significant day: her 10th wedding anniversary. In a video posted to her YouTube channel, Lee recounted the moment she received the life-altering news.

"I went to the hospital because they called me on my 10th wedding anniversary, and they told me, 'You have cancer,'" she said. Lee explained that she had a history of pneumothorax since childhood, which required regular check-ups. During one such check-up, a 2.7 cm mass was discovered, leading to the cancer diagnosis.

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I went to the hospital because they called me on my 10th wedding anniversary, and they told me, 'You have cancer.'

Despite the shock, Lee expressed a determination to overcome the illness. "I thought, 'I've overcome everything else in my life, how could I not overcome this?'" she stated, admitting she had previously underestimated the severity of cancer. The surgery to remove part of her lung, which involved cutting between her ribs, proved to be a difficult recovery.

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I thought, 'I've overcome everything else in my life, how could I not overcome this?'

Following the surgery, Lee experienced complications, including swelling and lymphatic issues. She also revealed a family history of cancer, noting that her father passed away from stomach cancer around the time of her wedding, and her mother was diagnosed with stage 3 stomach cancer. Fortunately, her mother is now in good health.

Lee is now awaiting her fifth follow-up examination, expressing a mix of anxiety and anticipation. She shared that she is scheduled to receive results in August, which she hopes will confirm she is cancer-free. She has been undergoing treatment for six years since her initial diagnosis in 2021.

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My father passed away from stomach cancer when I got married, and my mother was diagnosed with stage 3 stomach cancer.