Sakurai Anna, the renowned talent and model, has bravely opened up about her battle with infiltrative lobular carcinoma, which she publicly announced last August. The heartfelt moment came during her special talk session at the "Be Me - Love Yourself Spring" event held on March 1st and 2nd at Harajuku, Tokyo. With emotional transparency, she shared about the tribulations of her cancer treatment and reflections on life after her diagnosis.
During the event, attended by about 80 people, Sakurai eloquently described discovering her illness. "I noticed the size difference between my right and left breasts after I got out of the shower," she recounted. This troubling observation took place around May last year when she was 51 years old. Initially, she pondered, "Is this what menopause feels like?" Yet, her instincts told her otherwise, prompting her to seek medical attention.
Despite undergoing regular checkups, Anna eventually received the shocking news after several examinations confirmed the diagnosis. "After the thorough checks, I felt confused—'What is happening to me?'" She reflected on the difficulty of identifying infiltrative lobular carcinoma, explaining it wasn’t easy to detect since, as one doctor put it, "Cancer knows how to hide well." Unfortunately, by the time she learned of the disease, she was at "stage 3," according to her doctor.
When Anna was informed of her diagnosis, she was not alone; her mother, Claudia Uemura, was by her side. "I felt nearly nothing at first," she explained, contrasting her reaction with dramatic portrayals often seen on screen, saying it was surreal, with her only grasping the gravity of her situation days later.
Reflecting on the began treatment, Anna said, "After my father passed away, my world view changed entirely—nothing stayed the same." This prompted her to engage deeply with her personal pursuits. With nearly three decades of experience, Anna pondered her place within the entertainment industry, noticing her work had become almost routine.
"All these years have led me to ask, 'Is this the path I want to continue?'" she noted, her revelations surfacing throughout her dialogue, forcing her to reevaluate her career choices.
Regarding her treatment, she expressed reluctance about undergoing chemotherapy, particularly concerned about hair loss. "I kept asking the doctors if I would lose my hair and clung to hope until the end," she admitted. But on the morning of July 31, Anna experienced it firsthand—hair loss following her first treatment. "My mother was devastated by it all," she disclosed. The emotional toll this took was unprecedented for her family.
Her struggles with treatment did not end with hair loss. The chemotherapy brought numerous side effects, including pain and numbness. "It was incredibly challenging, and there were moments I felt like giving up," said Anna, fighting tears as she reminisced about the hardest aspects of her experience.
Throughout her ordeal, she maintained hope for those facing similar circumstances, hoping her experiences can serve as guidance. "If my story can help at least one person, then I want to continue documenting it," she said passionately, feeling energized by the possibility of being of service to others.
Anna emphasized the need for increased awareness and resources for breast cancer patients, particularly for those who have undergone surgery. "There aren’t enough options available for those having undergone mastectomy or even options for supportive wear like bras," she stated. Her drive to advocate for those dealing with similar battles grew stronger, inspired by her own tribulations.
Looking forward to her future, Anna told the audience about her hopes of returning to her favorite pastime of mountain climbing once her health allows. "I love to hike! Once I have rejuvenated my strength, I plan to take on those climbing trails again," Anna exclaimed, reflecting optimism for what lies ahead.
Sakurai Anna's candid revelations about her cancer battle represented the spirit of resilience and hope. Through her adversity, she has embraced the mission of helping others, aiming to create more opportunities and support for cancer patients. Her message resonates—a reminder of unconditional love and the personal strength forged through hardship. Followed by tears and hope, Anna left the event determined to inspire others within her lifetime.