small cell lung cancer: a double-center study
Bride With Terminal Stage 4 Cancer Walks Down The Aisle In 'Dream' Wedding
Most couples vow to love each other through sickness and in health, but this bride and groom gave those words a deeper meaning when they tied the knot following a stage 4 cancer diagnosis.
Nako Chung, 30, has been fighting colorectal cancer since it was discovered in October 2023, when it was stage 3. She has undergone surgery and multiple rounds of chemotherapy, but one thing remained constant—the dream of marrying her partner, Kevin Koo.
Koo, 30, from Los Angeles, California told Newsweek that it's been "one of the hardest battles," but they weren't going to let cancer stop them from becoming husband and wife.
"Nako was determined to make this happen. Prior to the wedding she completed 12 rounds of radiation, two different chemo drugs, and a clinical trial. We were doing everything we could to try and find an answer," Koo said.
Kevin Koo and wife Nako Chung, both 30, married on December 23, 2023. Chung was diagnosed with colorectal cancer last year and is now at stage 4, but she was determined to make it down... Kevin Koo and wife Nako Chung, both 30, married on December 23, 2023. Chung was diagnosed with colorectal cancer last year and is now at stage 4, but she was determined to make it down the aisle. More @nakochung / TikTokUnfortunately, after having a colon resection to remove the tumor, followed by chemotherapy, Chung's pain returned. The treatment wasn't working, and another surgery at the end of October 2023 revealed that the cancer had spread significantly, putting her at stage 4.
With her health deteriorating, the couple "don't know how many days" Chung has left, but their wedding was a milestone she wanted to reach—and last month she shared a video of the special day on TikTok, which has gone viral.
Koo continued: "She was in great health on the wedding day. Unfortunately, she lost a lot of her ability to walk due to one of her tumors hitting her spinal cord. But, as always, she showed true strength and determination."
The DiagnosisChung started suffering stomach pains in August 2022, but Koo said that doctors "wrote it off as nothing." In 2023, Chung's pains escalated and she was hospitalized with an infection. She finally had a colonoscopy at the start of October that year, which led to the cancer diagnosis.
In 2020, there were 126,240 new colorectal cancer cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Of the diagnoses between 2016 and 2020, 33 percent were discovered at a localized stage, meaning the cancer hadn't spread beyond the colon or rectum. If the cancer is found early, there is an 88 percent survival rate, but that drops significantly the later it is diagnosed.
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Colorectal cancer is more prominent in men than women, as the American Cancer Society suggests that it affects 1 in 23 men, compared with 1 in 25 women.
Although the death rate has dropped in recent years, colorectal cancer is still the second leading cause of cancer related deaths for men and women, with a predicted 53,010 deaths in the U.S. In 2024.
Making It to the Big DayThere were so many times when Chung and Koo did not think they would make it to their wedding, not least because it was in Japan and they weren't sure if Chung was strong enough for the flight.
But the couple, who met in high school and reconnected years later, were determined to make it down the aisle, and around 90 friends and family flew from the U.S. To be with them on their momentous day on December 23, 2023.
Chung walked down the aisle using a walker that her bridesmaids decorated by hand, using leftover material from her dress and covering it in flowers.
"I was able to really take in the moment, and seeing everyone I love in one room was so special. It was one of the best days of my life and everything worked out so perfectly," Koo told Newsweek.
"Life really is so short and precious. We're extremely grateful to not only have such incredible family and friends, but also those who've gone the extra mile to try and help with Nako's battle."
In April, Chung shared the video of the wedding to her TikTok account @nakochung and it instantly went viral, amassing over 2.5 million views and more than 272,300 likes since.
It has also gained more than 3,800 comments, with many people wishing Chung well and congratulating the happy couple.
One TikToker said: "Cancer always takes the most precious and beautiful people. Fight hard to beat this. You're surrounded by all the love you have."
Koo and Chung on their big day on December 23, 2023, in Japan; right, the walker decorated with material from Chung's dress. There were many times when the couple worried she wouldn't make it to... Koo and Chung on their big day on December 23, 2023, in Japan; right, the walker decorated with material from Chung's dress. There were many times when the couple worried she wouldn't make it to her own wedding. More @nakochung / TikTokAnother person wrote: "The most beautiful bride I've ever seen."
While one said: "I would cry non-stop if I were there."
The couple never expected to generate so much attention and have been heartened by the support they've received—and they hope that Chung's shock cancer diagnosis will empower others to listen to their body and persist if something's not right.
Koo said: "Cancer can impact anyone and it's important to advocate for yourself. Nako was healthy prior to her diagnosis, with no family history. Even during her reoccurrence, we should have gotten a second opinion sooner. There's no harm in being sure when it comes to your health—you must listen to your body."
Is there a health issue that's worrying you? Let us know via health@newsweek.Com. We can ask experts for advice, and your story could be featured on Newsweek.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Colon Cancer News
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May 31, 2023 — A new study has linked certain types of gut bacteria to the development of precancerous colon ...
Mar. 16, 2023 — Researchers outline the complexities of young-onset colorectal cancer and the research needed to map out a path toward understanding ...
Jan. 17, 2023 — Researchers studied human colon cancer tissue samples and animal models and found that exposure to salmonella was linked with colon cancers that developed earlier and grew ...
Dec. 1, 2022 — About 80% of people with cancer suffer from significant muscle wasting, or loss of muscle tissue, and 30% of these patients die from this condition. New research in mice finds that the severity of ...
Nov. 29, 2022 — A scientific study exploring the appropriate interval for colorectal cancer screening via non-invasive multi-target stool DNA testing for individuals with average risk for the disease reported ...
Nov. 25, 2022 — Researchers have designed cancer-fighting nanoparticles that co-deliver a chemotherapy drug and a novel immunotherapy, according to a new ...
Nov. 18, 2022 — A dietary change could be a key to enhancing colon cancer treatment, a new study finds. Researchers found in cells and in mice that a low-protein diet blocked the nutrient signaling pathway that ...
Nov. 17, 2022 — Researchers have discovered a new mechanism that explains why only some of the cells in a colon tumor respond to chemotherapy. The research team was able to establish that tumor cells dying off ...
Nov. 9, 2022 — Researchers report the discovery of the population of residual tumor cells responsible for the recurrence of colorectal cancer in other organs after removal of the primary tumor. The study shows that ...
Oct. 27, 2022 — Medical researchers have developed new chemical compounds that show promise in a potential anticancer therapy to treat aggressive ...
Oct. 27, 2022 — Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers. Its treatment is mainly based on chemotherapy. However, over time, chemotherapy induces resistance in the majority of patients, who end up being ...
Oct. 17, 2022 — Researchers have identified a new gene that is essential to colon cancer growth and found that inflammation in the external environment around the tumor can contribute to the growth of tumor ...
Sep. 8, 2022 — Physical activity may be associated with improved outcomes for patients undergoing postoperative treatment for Stage III colon cancer, a new study ...
Aug. 10, 2022 — In a new study, researchers define how the circadian clock influences cell growth, metabolism and tumor progression. Their research also reveals how disruption of the circadian clock impacts genome ...
Living With Stage 4 Breast Cancer: What To Know About Survival
Facing stage 4 breast cancer can be challenging because it's the most serious and life threatening stage of breast cancer. However, treatment and lifestyle changes can help improve outcomes.
Stage 4 breast cancer is also called metastatic breast cancer or advanced breast cancer. At this stage, cancer that developed in your breast has spread to other areas of your body. Cancer cells might have traveled through your lymphatic system to your lungs, bones, liver, brain, or other organs.
Most often, stage 4 breast cancer develops long after you first receive a cancer diagnosis. But in rare cases, the cancer may already have progressed to stage 4 by the time of diagnosis.
Read on to learn about the outlook for stage 4 breast cancer and what may be done to improve outcomes.
Breast cancer is categorized into five stages from 0 to 4. Stage 4 is the most advanced. Using another staging system, it can also be referred to as distant breast cancer, which means the cancer has spread from its original location.
According to the National Cancer Institute, an estimated 31.9% of people who receive a diagnosis of distant-stage breast cancer live for at least 5 years after diagnosis. This percentage is lower than those in earlier stages because survival rates depend on the extent and location of metastasis (spread).
Is stage 4 breast cancer considered terminal?Stage 4 breast cancer is not curable and can be terminal. However, various factors and advancements in treatment can improve your outlook.
Can stage 4 breast cancer go into remission?As a result of developments in treatment, it's possible for stage 4 breast cancer to go into remission. This means the cancer will not be detected on tests. But in most cases, the cancer has a high risk of recurring later on.
Is long-term survival possible?While it's rare, there have been cases of people who survived for more than 10 years after a diagnosis of stage 4 breast cancer.
According to a 2016 study, about 13% of women who receive a diagnosis of primary stage 4 breast cancer live for 10 years after their diagnosis. "Primary" refers to someone's first cancer diagnosis. This means that this statistic does not apply to recurrences.
A 2019 study also found that 13% of people who received a diagnosis of the human epidermal growth receptor 2 (HER2)-positive subtype of stage 4 breast cancer reached and maintained remission by 10 years after diagnosis.
The 2016 study also found that women under the age of 50 years who received a stage 4 breast cancer diagnosis had a higher chance of surviving for 10 years than older women did.
Various factors can affect your longevity and quality of life with stage 4 breast cancer:
If you have stage 4 breast cancer, it's important to work with an oncologist to develop your treatment plan. This will involve medical treatment and lifestyle strategies.
Medical treatmentSince the cancer has spread to other areas of your body, systemic treatment will likely be necessary to stop tumor growth and spread.
Your specific breast cancer characteristics and medical history will determine which treatment options your oncologist recommends. Treatment may include:
DietWhen you have stage 4 breast cancer, you may experience periods of weight gain and weight loss. This can be caused by stress, a lack of energy for exercise, or a side effect of cancer treatment, such as nausea.
Although it may be hard, try to choose foods that provide enough nutrients to support your body. Consider foods such as lean meats, eggs, low fat dairy, nuts, beans, and fruits and vegetables. Keep high calorie options such as milkshakes on hand for days when you don't feel like eating. And do your best to stay hydrated.
When you do eat, opt for small, frequent meals and incorporate ginger into your diet to ward off nausea. If you experience symptoms such as diarrhea, switch to easy-to-digest foods like apples, toast, crackers, broth, and bananas. These foods can still provide you with some necessary nutrition.
When in doubt, ask your doctor about your nutritional needs. They might recommend increasing certain foods or drinks and limiting others.
ExerciseWhile more research is needed, a 2021 study suggests that getting regular exercise may be a factor in reducing breast cancer occurrence and mortality.
But it's important to talk with your doctor before starting an exercise program. If your blood counts are low or your levels of electrolytes (such as potassium and sodium) are imbalanced, most healthcare professionals won't recommend exercising because you could put yourself at risk for further harm.
Your doctor may also recommend that you avoid working out in public places because of the risk of exposure to germs.
Safety is also important, as treatments and fatigue can cause balance and numbness issues.
Ultimately, it's essential that you listen to your body and that you don't push yourself on the days when you aren't feeling up to working out.
Having stage 4 breast cancer presents unique challenges in comparison with earlier stages of the disease.
If you've already been through earlier stages of cancer, you're now gearing up for a new experience. Metastatic breast cancer can cause additional symptoms that you may not have dealt with before, as well as new or stronger side effects from treatment.
Here are a few coping strategies that can be helpful:
A diagnosis of stage 4 breast cancer, whether it's a first diagnosis or a recurrence, can bring up a range of emotions. You might feel angry or scared or even experience a numb feeling. There isn't a wrong or a right way to feel.
A diagnosis of stage 4 breast cancer can feel daunting because it's the most serious stage of the disease. But undergoing treatment and making necessary lifestyle changes can greatly improve your outlook.
Researchers are continuing to examine different treatment options for stage 4 breast cancer. You might consider participating in clinical trials to help researchers better understand breast cancer and develop potential cures.
Your healthcare team can help you assess the potential benefits and risks of experimental treatments.
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