Reborn from breast cancer, Ye Tan returns with radiance

Ye Tan, Vice Chairman of Shenzhen Pink Ribbon, financial writer, and founder of Ye Tan Finance, pursued her dreams in her youth and entered the media circle with solid financial commentary skills, becoming a renowned 'Financial Female Warrior' in Shanghai.

When high-intensity work encroached on her life, her career soared, but it also led her to neglect health protection. In middle age, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Despite experiencing darkness and struggle, she did not give up on herself. Instead, she faced it with strength and composure, fighting with a smile and redefining the value of her life through her words and actions.

'When I learned the survival rate was only slightly over 20%, I smelled the scent of death.'

Working over ten hours a day, Ye Tan once believed her life was an endless cycle of researching companies, analyzing markets, and writing reports, climbing the career ladder day after day in anxiety—until breast cancer, this 'uninvited guest,' barged into her life.

'When I learned my condition was stage four breast cancer with a survival rate of just over 20%, it felt like I smelled death.' Recalling the moment she received the diagnosis, Ye Tan said her mind went blank. But upon reflection, the signs of breast cancer were not entirely absent.

Years earlier, Ye Tan had been diagnosed with breast nodules, a minor issue common among many women. Back then, she was advised to 'just keep an eye on it with regular check-ups.' Over the following years, occasional sharp pains were overshadowed by her busy work.

During a check-up in late 2021, a doctor reminded Ye Tan to examine her left breast, but she dismissed it. By early 2022, the stabbing pain in her left chest grew stronger, making it hard to wear tight bras or get up quickly. Yet, she pushed through. When she finally received the late-stage breast cancer diagnosis, everything changed.
 

Due to bone metastasis, doctors instructed Ye Tan to only stand or lie down, as any movement risked pathological fractures. Faced with one bad news after another, her nerves seemed to shield her from the impending pain as a form of self-protection. Ye Tan felt no surprise or sorrow, though she couldn’t hide her unease. After expert consultations, she found a glimmer of hope: her cancer subtype was two-positive, one-negative, with clear treatment plans and targeted drugs that promised better outcomes.

Once the treatment plan was set, she entered an intensive therapy phase.

Fighting Cancer with Science: Finding Light in Darkness

Ye Tan lost count of the chemotherapy and targeted therapy injections she endured. The process was slow and agonizing. While the chemo killed cancer cells, it also gradually drained her vitality. During her first injection, she was still in good spirits, but with each subsequent session, her condition worsened—leaving her limbs weak and even robbing her of the strength to speak. During this time, her hair began to fall out, and after much deliberation, she bravely shaved her head.
After months of effort, chemotherapy ended, and Ye Tan’s energy slowly returned. Her shaved hair began to regrow, but ahead lay an even longer nine-month recovery period. Isolated from the world, she felt trapped in a black hole, cut off from everything around her. She spent those months quietly in bed, but it was during this time that she experienced a physical and psychological 'rebirth.'
 

Reflecting on her 'rebirth,' she said the power of faith, compassion, and technology played crucial roles.

From her sickbed, the only outdoor view she could see was a tree outside her window, its leaves shimmering under the morning and evening sun. 'When I looked at that tree, I saw blue skies, white clouds, snow-capped mountains, and even Mount Everest. Though bedridden, I let my heart embrace the whole world. The power of faith is incredibly important in critical moments.'

As her body recovered, she began leveraging her influence to help terminally ill and vulnerable groups in whatever ways she could—what she called the 'power of compassion.' She spoke with ALS fighter Cai Lei, urging him to take care of his health and not push himself too hard, while also hoping the public would appreciate his efforts. She connected with fellow breast cancer patients, offering encouragement online and through letters, wishing everyone well. 'On the surface, it seems like I’m giving others energy, but in truth, I’m grateful for this opportunity because all that energy flows back to me, giving me endless strength.'

Above all, she firmly believes in the power of technology. As a patient, she was initially overwhelmed, unfamiliar with cancer subtypes and treatments. But she trusted the experts’ proven methods, and cutting-edge treatments and drugs gave her hope for survival. This deepened her respect for medical and scientific professionals on the frontlines of cancer research. She continues to follow advancements in cancer drugs, visiting pharmaceutical companies to understand China’s pharmaceutical industry.
 

 Learning to Love Herself and Others After Rebirth

In the past, Ye Tan was a perfectionist with strong self-discipline, often pushing herself to extremes in her career. Her life revolved around work and home, logging over ten hours daily and frequently working late into the night. She was harsh on herself and rarely allowed herself to enjoy life. Now, she focuses on the small joys of daily life, treating herself better and learning self-care.

Gardening, raising cats, and creatively renovating her home, she transformed her once-cold living space into a warm and inviting haven. When traveling, she no longer rushes through trips but takes time to observe unique people, things, and cultures, documenting them in writing. She now cherishes every deep breath and steady step as precious moments worth remembering.

'After my illness, I was reborn. I learned to love myself, and in doing so, I learned to love others.'

Removing her headscarf, Ye Tan stepped confidently into the public eye, bravely showcasing her new appearance. She did this to send a message to women everywhere: she had breast cancer, but it wasn’t something to fear. Facing skepticism, she said having brushed with death made her indifferent to others’ opinions. 'All I want is to remove my headscarf and use my 'reborn' image to support fellow patients, giving them strength. If even I can get better, then those in early or middle stages have nothing to fear—everyone will get better.'

Facing her illness with a smile, Ye Tan fought cancer with optimism, emerging even more radiant. For women everywhere, her story is not just about resilience but also a reminder that breast cancer is preventable and treatable—early detection is key.

Listen to every 'her,' care for every 'her,' and love every 'her.' Yingkang Yisheng, a health ecosystem brand under Haier Group, remains committed to women’s health. Currently, Yingkang Yisheng has partnered with stakeholders to launch the 'Zero Deaths from Early-Stage Breast Cancer' initiative and a series of women’s health programs. Through technological and service innovations, they aim to build a comprehensive breast cancer prevention and treatment system, urging everyone to prioritize breast health—early prevention, early detection, and early treatment—so women can embrace a brighter, healthier future.