Hiro Komura talks about his four-time battle with cancer on "Tetsuko's Room" broadcast on September 19th

Actor Hiro Furumura appeared on Tetsuko Kuroyanagi's long-running talk show "Tetsuko's Room" (TV Asahi) on September 19th. He spoke about his four battles with cancer and how he deals with the illness.

Thirteen years ago, at the age of 46, she was diagnosed with cervical cancer. The cancer was in the early stages and would be cured with surgery. She had no symptoms and would often tell her doctor, "Doctor, I'm not ready to die yet." Five years later, during an examination, she was told there was a suspicion of recurrence. She was confused as to why this was happening, as she had already had a complete hysterectomy. "It made me realise that cancer is no easy thing," she recalls.

After consulting with his three sons, he was told that "the only option was treatment." Six months later, he temporarily improved, but tests revealed cancer, and he had to undergo a third round of treatment. He was also told that the cancer had spread to his lungs and other parts of the body, so he would not get better. He was confused about how to deal with the cancer, but was told that there was a treatment available at the time, so he underwent chemotherapy.

After about a year, tests showed no signs of cancer and I was put under observation. I thought I was all set, but in January 2023, cancer was discovered. It had recurred in the para-aortic lymph nodes, where the cancer had previously developed. A new treatment had just been approved, and my doctor told me, "There is a treatment available," so I am still undergoing that treatment.

Her approach to cancer has changed. "I'm thinking about coexisting well with it while undergoing treatment. I'm hopeful that there will be a chance of recovery someday, but I often hear that it's difficult at this stage," she says. She also gets tired easily, and "my body will suddenly tell me things, so I try to rest without pushing myself too hard, and switch on and off effectively."

When she was little, she was taught that "if you sigh, happiness will slip away." After she was diagnosed with cancer, a doctor told her, "Sighing is a very important way to relax. Sighing lets out everything you've been holding back and feeling trapped in your body. That's very important." "I feel so happy, I sigh even in front of other people," she says.

When I ask doctors about their opinions on second opinions, they say things like, "That would be better in your case, Mr. Komura." Doctors are providing the best treatment possible, so unless they hear from patients, "no new path can be opened. I think that's important." He said, "I think it's important to make a presentation so that patients can properly understand how they are facing cancer, their thoughts and way of life."

His mother is 85 years old and in good health. "When I was a child, I couldn't tell my mother a lot of things, but now I don't know what will happen tomorrow," he says, and they maintain a good relationship.