On Sept. 1, Yubin wrote on her social media that a “beloved and irreplaceable” family member―her eldest sister―was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020 and has fought through treatment ever since. “Last year, the cancer spread to her brain, and every day has been a painful battle,” she said.
She added that her family has found a treatment that shows promise, but accessing it has been extremely difficult due to financial and coverage barriers. “I desperately want to protect my sister, even a little,” she wrote, urging people to help. Yubin pointed to a petition calling for South Korea’s National Health Insurance to cover Tukysa (tucatinib), a breast cancer therapy used for brain metastases.
“This isn’t just about my family,” she continued. “It’s about whether people living with breast cancer can get better care going forward. Even the smallest show of support can help patients hold on to hope.”
The petition―seeking insurance reimbursement and expedited review for Tukysa (tucatinib) in cases of breast cancer with brain metastases―is currently live on the National Assembly’s public petition platform. Launched Aug. 27, it runs for 30 days through Sept. 26 and had drawn more than 11,000 signatures as of Sept. 2. If it surpasses 50,000, the measure will be taken up by a standing committee in the National Assembly.
“This goes beyond our family,” Yubin emphasized. “Please approve insurance coverage for Tukysa as soon as possible so patients and their loved ones don’t have to give up on treatment.”
Photo: Baik Seung-Chul
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)