Yubin Reveals Family's Battle With Cancer
Appeals for Support in Petition
for Health Insurance Coverage of
Tukysa, a 30 Million Won Treatment for Two Months
Yubin of the group Wonder Girls has revealed that a member of her family is battling cancer and appealed for public participation in a national petition regarding health insurance coverage for Tukysa (Tucatinib), a treatment for breast cancer brain metastasis.
On September 1, Yubin shared on her social networking service (SNS), "Something heartbreaking has happened to my precious and beloved family. My eldest sister was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020 and has been enduring a difficult fight ever since," adding, "Unfortunately, the cancer metastasized to her brain last year, and she continues to struggle painfully every day."
She continued, "Thankfully, we managed to find an effective treatment, but due to real-world circumstances, it is extremely difficult to receive proper care. With a desperate wish to protect my sister even a little, I am asking for your help," and shared a link to the national petition.
Yubin emphasized, "This is not just an issue for my family, but a crucial matter that will determine whether breast cancer patients can receive better treatment in the future," and added, "Please lend your support so that many patients can continue to have hope."
The petition, posted on August 27, calls for health insurance coverage and expedited processing for Tukysa. The petitioner stated, "Although Tukysa has proven to be an essential and highly effective treatment for breast cancer patients with brain metastasis and has been approved by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, patients are still required to import the drug individually," and lamented, "Due to the unaffordable out-of-pocket cost, many patients cannot use this treatment, and even those already undergoing therapy are at risk of having to stop."
According to the petitioner, the cost of Tukysa amounts to 30 million won for a two-month supply. This medication must be combined with other anticancer drugs, but even those that were previously covered by insurance have now become non-reimbursable, resulting in an annual treatment cost of up to 200 million won.
The petitioner pleaded, "I earnestly request that health insurance coverage be applied to Tukysa so that patients and their families do not have to endure the tragedy of giving up a life-saving, government-approved drug due to financial hardship."
As of 7:30 p.m. on September 2, the petition had received support from around 20,000 people. If a National Assembly petition receives more than 50,000 signatures within 30 days, it is referred to the relevant committee.
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