Source:REUTERS/Darren Staples
[Saba Sports News] Malaysian badminton legend Lee Chong Wei was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal cancer in 2018. Recently, in an interview with the media, he revealed his experience battling cancer. Lee Chong Wei stated that upon learning he had cancer, he immediately flew to the United States to undergo the most advanced proton radiation therapy available at that time. After several rounds of radiation and chemotherapy, he experienced severe throat ulcers, and the intense pain made it impossible for him to eat. After three weeks of treatment, his throat was completely ruptured, and he could only rely on spraying anesthetics to force himself to swallow. Due to the chemotherapy, his weight drastically decreased, and his mental state often declined. During this time, his wife and mother were always by his side, caring for him and facing him with smiles. It was their companionship and support that helped him endure the pain of his illness. After 33 sessions of radiation therapy, he finally succeeded in controlling the cancer. This series of treatments cost approximately 1.28 million dollars. Now, Lee Chong Wei has fully recovered. Although he has retired, he has not left the sport of badminton; he currently serves as a director and performance committee chairperson at the Badminton Association of Malaysia, where he is responsible for coordinating the relationships between coaches and players.
In my opinion, the secret to Lee Chong Wei’s successful battle against cancer lies in three aspects: maintaining a positive mindset, engaging in appropriate physical exercise, and having regular check-ups. His story is not only a personal victory but also an inspiration to all cancer patients.