After Cancer Surgery, Jang Keun-suk Reveals the Surprising Habit That Helped Him Heal

Korean actor Jang Keun-suk is sharing a deeply personal chapter of his life—and how illness made him stronger.

On the April 20 episode of MBN’s ‘Let’s Go 4’, Jang gave viewers a rare look inside his spacious 80-pyeong (approx. 2,800 sq ft) home. He also opened up about his current lifestyle and the health journey that reshaped his priorities.

“I do everything myself—cleaning, cooking, all of it,” he said. “Staying active is how I overcame depression, bipolar disorder, and panic disorder.” Jang previously revealed that he was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and underwent surgery. Since then, he’s made wellness a daily focus.

“The word ‘cancer’ itself is terrifying. People say thyroid cancer is the ‘good kind,’ but really—what cancer is good?” he said honestly.

“Now, the first thing I do every morning is check my blood pressure. I’ve started treating myself with more care.”

Jang also shared that he naturally quit smoking and avoids unhealthy habits. “The experience made me stronger. I want to earn more, and give back as much love as I’ve received. I’ve even been studying philanthropy—I have a dream to give through charity,” he said.

Thyroid cancer is among the most common cancers in South Korea, especially among women. According to the National Health Insurance Service, incidence has been steadily rising in recent years.

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland at the front of the neck, responsible for regulating metabolism, body temperature, and heart rate through hormone secretion. Thyroid cancer occurs when malignant tumors develop in this gland, with papillary thyroid cancer accounting for about 90% of cases.

While often dubbed “highly treatable,” thyroid cancer still requires proper diagnosis and management. If left undetected, it can spread or recur—even for those with favorable types.

From Diagnosis to Treatment: What You Should Know

Detection: Most thyroid nodules are found via ultrasound. If abnormalities are detected, a fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNA) is performed to confirm malignancy.

Treatment: Standard treatment involves partial or total thyroidectomy (removal of the gland), followed by radioactive iodine therapy or hormone replacement therapy to prevent recurrence and manage metabolism.

Prognosis: For papillary and follicular thyroid cancer, the 10-year survival rate exceeds 90% after surgery. Higher-risk types, like medullary or anaplastic thyroid cancer, require more aggressive treatment due to faster progression and higher metastasis risk.

What Increases the Risk?

Thyroid cancer risk factors include:

-Genetic predisposition

-History of radiation exposure

-Iodine imbalance in the diet

-Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals

-Chronic stress and lifestyle changes

Medical experts recommend that women between their late 30s and 50s receive regular thyroid checkups, especially via ultrasound, as early symptoms can be subtle or nonexistent.

“Thyroid cancer is treatable, but early detection and consistent management are key,” specialists emphasize.

Jang Keun-suk’s journey is a reminder that health challenges can lead to personal transformation—and that caring for yourself is never something to take lightly.

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