Yakata Miki on Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Former SKE48 member Yakata Miki was diagnosed with breast cancer a year after graduating from the group, while pursuing her goal to become a voice actress.

Her left breast was completely removed at the age of 25 (a total left mastectomy and lymph node resection) and since then, Yakata has been using her experience to promote Breast Cancer Awareness to the AYA Generation (adolescents and young adults) but also giving courage to those who are cancer patients.

According to Yakata, “In the Spring of 2018, I had surgery for total left mastectomy and lymph node resection.  After that, I htas been two years since I had hormone therapy after undergoing anti-cancer drug treatment and radiation therapy.  I plan to continue to take hormone therapy for ten years but the more I continue to take it, the more I realize the various side effects.  I can’t stop sweating, I get swelling quickly and I get tired easily.  Still, I am able to work, enjoy things every day and live normally.  Now, I go to the hospital once every three months.  The trigger for discovering breast cancer was a self-checkup.  I felt a lump, like a marble and when I consulted with an acquaintance, I was told to go to the hospital right away.  Examination revealed that it spread to the lymph nodes and I was at stage 2b.  I was scared that maybe I was going to die.  I accepted the surgery and postoperative examination revealed that my cancer had progressed to stage 3a”.

“The cancer was announced after I had surgery.  I was also wondering if my illness could handicap me for getting a job. However, I thoguht it would be much easier if people I work with to understand the illness and I wanted to convey it properly without hiding it from my fans”.

Yakata said she wants to work harder and improve her voice acting ability.  She is now working on the radio while preparing for an anime appearance which is scheduled to broadcast next year.

Yakata said, “For those who have the same illness, I hope my experience will give a chance to give people positive hope”.

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