A 23-year-old Malaysian university student was just one step away from graduating when she was diagnosed with metastatic lung adenocarcinoma, with the cancer already spreading to her other lung.
Now, her 62-year-old father is doing everything he can to support her treatment, while carrying the painful fear of losing his daughter after her mother previously passed away from cancer.
Tan Yun Ju, from Bukit Mertajam, is studying Food Technology at Universiti Sains Malaysia and had been looking forward to completing her studies and graduating in November. She had even received a scholarship and was only left with one final assignment before completing her degree.
However, during the final month of her internship, Yun Ju began experiencing persistent coughing, body aches and other discomfort. At first, her family thought it was nothing serious and she relied on cough sweets and painkillers to manage the symptoms. Her condition later worsened, with chest and abdominal pain, shortness of breath and large amounts of mucus.
Persistent cough leads to shocking cancer diagnosis
After an X-ray at her university clinic showed an abnormality in her lungs, she was referred for further medical examinations. Doctors eventually discovered fluid in her lungs and removed around 2 litres of fluid for testing.
Further tests confirmed that she had lung adenocarcinoma, which had already spread to the other lung. She has since experienced recurring breathing difficulties and swelling and has been hospitalised twice to undergo examinations and have fluid drained from her lungs.
Family has already battled cancer twice
Cancer is sadly not new to Yun Ju’s family. Her mother passed away from breast cancer in 2023, after her father, Tan Chai Hong, had left his job as a supervisor to care for her during her illness.
The family was also dealt another blow when Yun Ru’s elder brother, now 31, was diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) several years ago.
Doctors found a tumour measuring around 9cm after he developed stomach pain, chest pain and other symptoms. Following several rounds of chemotherapy, the tumour has reportedly shrunk to around 2cm and his condition is currently stable, although he still requires regular follow-ups.
With his son’s condition only recently stabilising, Tan Chai Hong now finds himself facing another battle with his daughter’s cancer.
Dad fears daughter could suffer same fate as mum
Yun Ju’s father said his daughter had originally been looking forward to graduating in November and beginning the next chapter of her life. Instead, the family is now focused on getting her through treatment.
“My wife already left us because of cancer. I really don’t want my daughter to follow in her mother’s footsteps,” he said.
Although Yun Ju has medical insurance, much of the coverage has already been used for previous medical expenses. Her father’s savings have also been gradually depleted by his wife’s and son’s treatment costs, as well as the family’s living expenses.
The family recently sought help from One Hope Charity, which has since raised the funds needed for Yun Ju’s treatment.
The charity‘s chairman Datuk Chai Rui Hao said Yun Ju was still only 23 and should have been preparing to graduate and start her career, but instead found herself facing a long and difficult cancer treatment journey.
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