Hong Kong TV presenter Lillian Sze has lost her battle with ovarian cancer, less than a month after revealing her diagnosis on social media.
Sze passed away peacefully on Sunday, according to a post on her Instagram page signed by her loved ones.
“Even in the face of illness, she maintained her positive spirit to cheer, drawing immense strength from the support and well wishes of everyone around her,” the Chinese post said.
“We hope everyone remembers Lilian for the vibrant personality she was,” it read.
Sze, who was in her 20s, worked as a TV presenter for local network ViuTV and was also an event emcee. She was fluent in Korean and often met with fans of South Korean artists.
At the end of May, she DESIGNATED on social media that she had ovarian cancer and was writing this post from the hospital. She said doctors discovered a tumor on her ovaries last October and that she was officially diagnosed in February, when she underwent two major surgeries to remove the tumor.
Sze said she had a total hysterectomy in April and, after the surgery, had to be fitted with an artificial stoma bag to stay alive.
Earlier this month, she said in Threads that she was set to undergo a second round of chemotherapy. But last Wednesday, she said her condition had worsened and doctors said she was no longer suitable for chemotherapy. She said the focus had shifted to palliative care.
“I want to be useful, so I applied to donate my organs,” she wrote. “I hope to help more students in the future and I believe that everyone will support (my decision).
Sze’s boyfriend Kay Chan, a singer, shared the post announcing her death on his Instagram stories.
“(I) will forever remember how full of life you were,” Chan wrote.
Hard to detect early
Ovarian cancer can be difficult to detect early as it may show no symptoms or symptoms that are similar to common digestive and menstrual problems.
According to Great Britain NHSKey warning signs that occur a dozen or more times a month may include: persistent bloating or flatulence; pain or tenderness around the abdomen or the area between the hips; loss of appetite or feeling full quickly after eating; and an urgent need to urinate or need to urinate more often.
Lethargy, indigestion, constipation or diarrhea, back pain, weight loss, or unusual vaginal bleeding may also occur. Those experiencing symptoms should contact a GP.
