Park So Dam reflects on thyroid cancer battle: 'I found myself denying who I am'

Actress Park So Dam has candidly shared her journey through surgery and recovery, reflecting on the warning signs her body and mind sent during her battle with thyroid cancer. She revealed that while her weight was decreasing, her face and neck appeared to be swelling, and medical examinations discovered 12 to 13 nodules in her thyroid.

Appearing on KBS 2TV's 'The Seasons - Sung Si-kyung's Ear-Pleasing Boyfriend' aired on the 22nd, Park spoke about the physical and mental changes she experienced while working as an actress.

She first compared her life in her 20s to her state after her health deteriorated. "In my 20s, even if I didn't force myself to leave after filming, I would stay and have fun talking with my seniors once it was a 'cut'," she said. "That used to happen easily, but as my body gradually worsened, I think I couldn't do that anymore."

In particular, her health issues were not limited to simple fatigue. "As my body weakened, my mental state weakened significantly, and at some point, I found myself lying down to sleep and feeling regret," Park recalled. "I had never regretted acting before, but at some point, I discovered myself denying who I am, and that is when I gradually realized I was sick."

She explained that as her attitude toward acting and life—things she had always done habitually—began to change, she actually became aware of the abnormalities in her body.

The test results were more serious than expected. Park revealed, "The results showed that there were about 12 or 13 nodules in my thyroid."

Physical changes also occurred. She explained the physical changes at the time, saying, "My neck kept swelling. While my weight was steadily dropping, it felt like my face was getting puffier on camera."

During the surgery process, there were concerns regarding her voice and nerve functions, which are particularly important for an actress. "I was told that if I lost my nerves, I wouldn't be able to produce various sounds," Park said. "I was told I needed to have surgery quickly, so I went onto the operating table immediately."

Even after the surgery, recovery was another battle. Her physical functions declined, including muscle stiffness, as she had to minimize movement and stay bedridden for a while.

"Since humans are used to moving constantly, after lying down and barely moving for about a month, all my muscles became stiff," Park stated. "I went to Pilates every day to increase my range and went through a process of rebuilding my body through continuous training."

After announcing her diagnosis of papillary thyroid cancer in December 2021, Park suspended her activities to focus on treatment and recovery. Since regaining her health, she has resumed her work in various projects.

The striking part of this confession is that Park did not explain the signals of the disease merely as physical symptoms. She accepted the changes in her emotions, acting style, and attitude toward herself as part of the signals her body was sending.

However, since weight loss or swelling of the face and neck can be non-specific symptoms caused by various factors, thyroid cancer cannot be determined by specific symptoms alone. Park's case should be understood as a personal experience of battling the illness.