Earlier this week, 27-year-old Japanese star Momono Ayaka suddenly took to her socials to reveal she’s suffering from thyroid cancer.
Ayaka, who’s a member of newly-formed Japanese girl group Amor Amore, also shared that she would be going for a surgery in September.
According to Ayaka, she found out about her condition in March, but chose to keep it under wraps as Amor Amore was going to make their showbiz debut in April.
She decided to open up about her illness now as she didn’t want her fans to be alarmed when she goes on a hiatus in two months’ time.
“It took me a really long time to accept that I’ve got thyroid cancer,” admitted Ayaka.
“I’m someone who’s afraid of having injections but now I need to go for surgery,” she wrote, adding that she’s been “living in fear” every time she looks at the calendar and realises that September is just around the corner.
Ayaka said work helps distract her from her illness.
“When I’m being an idol, I can forget that I’m sick and continue my activities with a smile on my face. It is healing for me,” she gushed.
Ayaka has decided to focus on receiving treatment for now and will be stopping all her activities from September 8.
“I don’t know if my body will be able to perform like how I imagine when I’m back. I don’t even know if I can speak, but I will try my best to recover, so please wait for my return,” wrote Ayaka, who’s expected to make her comeback on October 1.
“Don’t worry, we will wait for you,” promised one fan while another said: “Praying that your surgery will be a success. Waiting to see your cute and happy face again.”
A netizen also noted that it “must have taken [Ayaka] a lot of courage” to write a post like that, and thanked her for being honest with her fans.