35-Year-Old Doctor Diagnosed with Rare Breast Can.cer: Warning About 2 “Hidden Culprits” You Might Be Overlooking — Do This to Prevent Healthy Cells from Turning Can.cerous

This fast-growing cancer type has a higher recurrence rate than other breast cancers and offers very limited treatment options.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer worldwide, and data show it’s the number one cancer among women everywhere. According to Taiwan’s Ministry of Health and Welfare, breast cancer tops the list of cancers in Taiwanese women — and even medical professionals aren’t immune.

On the TV show TODAY Health Chat, breast surgeon Dr. Zheng Yushu from Taiwan shared that she was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) at age 35. TNBC lacks hormone receptors and accounts for about 10–15% of breast cancer cases. It tends to grow more rapidly and recur more often than other types, and because it lacks hormone targets, treatment options are limited.

---

A Look at Her Lifestyle Before Diagnosis

Before falling ill, Dr. Zheng Yushu lived a hectic life—with no time to exercise, inadequate hydration, and what she calls “four pillars” of health—sleep, diet, exercise, and emotions—all severely neglected. Among these, sleep was the most overlooked yet the riskiest factor.

1. Staying Up Late Is the Overlooked “Killer” — Even “Weekend Catch-Up” Sleep Doesn’t Help

Five years before her diagnosis, Dr. Zheng routinely stayed up until 3–4 a.m., got only a few hours of sleep, and rushed to morning meetings at 7–8 a.m.—averaging under four hours of rest per night. She describes it as “a form of chronic self-harm.”

Studies show that getting fewer than two hours of extra sleep per day for 14 days straight results in brain fatigue equivalent to staying awake for a full 24 hours. That exhaustion impairs memory and concentration, and disrupts the body’s internal clock, spiking inflammatory markers and increasing cancer risk.

Women who sleep less than six hours a night have a higher risk of invasive breast cancer and worse treatment outcomes. Experts recommend adults aim for 7–9 hours of sleep per night, ideally going to bed before 11 p.m.

Chronic sleep deprivation weakens immunity, disrupts hormones, and fuels inflammation. “Weekend catch-up sleep” doesn’t help—sleeping in instead disturbs the circadian rhythm and even worsens health.

Dr. Zheng’s “4210 Sleep Hygiene” Rule

To support her sleep, Dr. Zheng follows the 4210 rule:

• 4 hours: Stop eating four hours before bed

• 2 hours: Avoid drinking two hours before bed

• 1 hour: Stay off screens one hour before bed

• 0 light & noise: Sleep in total darkness and silence to stimulate melatonin production

She emphasizes that a consistent sleep-wake schedule is more important than just clocking hours. Letting the body rest is the foundation of good health.

2. Suppressed Emotions Can Foster Illness

Beyond lack of sleep, emotional suppression, inactivity, and dehydration also undermine health. Dr. Zheng believes that her habit of keeping only good news outwardly and swallowing negative emotions led to chronic inflammation—a breeding ground for cancer.

To counter this emotional buildup, she began free writing to vent anger and frustration, even using profanity in a private journal. She found it helped release pent-up emotions without judgment.

Mental–emotional health has been closely linked to physical illness, including breast cancer. Preventive medicine expert Losang Jiacan notes that breast and lung adenocarcinoma patients often harbor long-standing resentment and emotional toxicity, which disrupts circulation and undermines health.

Traditional Chinese medicine also links emotional stagnation—especially liver qi stagnation caused by depression or poor relationships—to breast cancer. Studies show over 40% of breast cancer patients experience depression-like symptoms (sadness, fatigue, despair), and 10–25% face severe depression.

Addressing emotions—through journaling, meditation, or therapy—is a vital part of comprehensive health care.

---

Rebuilding the Four Pillars of Health

Dr. Zheng says health is like a house supported by four pillars: diet, exercise, sleep, and emotions. If any pillar collapses, the entire structure is weakened. While she describes her past health as “all four pillars were collapsing,” she believes recovery is possible by rebuilding them one at a time.

• Sleep hygiene — maintain a consistent routine

• Positive mood and stress control

• Nutritious diet — more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains

• Exercise — even 30 minutes daily is a potent “anti-cancer prescription,” effective against breast, colorectal, and endometrial cancers

By reinforcing these pillars, Dr. Zheng invites anyone to start anew and work toward a healthier, more resilient life.