Taiwanese Surgeon Develops Stage 2 Breast Cancer After Sleeping 3-4 Hours Every Night

A 35-year-old Taiwanese surgeon has shared her shocking breast cancer diagnosis, attributing the disease to years of severe sleep deprivation from her demanding medical career.

The attending physician at China Medical University Hospital’s Department of Surgery was diagnosed with stage 2 malignant triple negative breast cancer in 2019.

This aggressive form of cancer carries high recurrence and metastasis rates while proving particularly challenging to treat.

Years of Sleep Deprivation Precede Cancer Diagnosis

The doctor revealed she had been surviving on just three to four hours of sleep daily for five years before her diagnosis. Her routine involved staying awake until 3AM or 4AM to complete medical reports and prepare for the following day’s procedures.

She would wake up between 7AM and 8AM, creating a pattern of chronic sleep debt that lasted half a decade. The physician spent countless nights finishing documentation and planning patient care instead of resting.

Her workload demanded late-night hours dedicated to administrative tasks that extended well beyond regular hospital shifts. The cycle of insufficient rest became her norm rather than an occasional occurrence.

Survival Odds and Recovery Journey

Medical statistics showed an 88% five-year survival rate for her specific cancer type. The doctor focused on the 12% probability that she might not survive five years rather than the more favourable odds.

She noted her lack of typical breast cancer risk factors, including hormone exposure. Her age, which was above 30, and not having given birth to her first child increased her risk by approximately 1% compared to average population rates.

The surgeon underwent a comprehensive treatment plan including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. She successfully beat the disease after completing all prescribed medical interventions.