Arzen Rose Dulzura

Kaye Abad hopes to inspire others after battling cancer for over a year: ‘Fight and go on with your life’

Article (news)

Alyana De Guzman

Push Team

<p>Actress Kaye Abad is embracing a new chapter in life, filled with gratitude, healing, and purpose after surviving breast cancer. </p><p>After first revealing her diagnosis, Kaye gave viewers a deeper look into her journey through her latest vlog, where she recounted the physical and emotional challenges she faced and the strength she found through family, faith, and perseverance. </p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2026/5/17/kaye-abad-reveals-breast-cancer-diagnosis-declares-she-is-now-cancer-free-2147"><strong><u>READ: Kaye Abad reveals breast cancer diagnosis, declares she is now cancer-free</u></strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>Kaye first disclosed on May 17 that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2025 and had been declared cancer-free earlier this year.  </p><p>Her latest vlog chronicled the over a year-long fight she quietly endured, from January 2025 to March 2026, as she and husband Paul Jake Castillo traveled back and forth between Cebu and Singapore for tests, treatment, and consultations. </p><p>The actress revealed that her diagnosis was serious from the beginning. According to her doctor, several lumps were discovered in both breasts, with one large tumor and more aggressive findings on the right side. Doctors later informed her that 95% of her right breast was already cancerous. </p><p>Because her cancer was hormonal, Kaye underwent treatment-induced menopause by late January to stop menstruation and prevent the disease from spreading to her ovaries. </p><p>After undergoing a PET Scan, doctors discovered she already had a cancerous lump on her liver, which only left her to choose chemotherapy instead of surgery as a treatment option.  </p><div><br/></div><div><iframe width="913" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7o4GyeblA_I" title="The Journey : The Beginning" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>Her treatment involved oral chemotherapy and monthly abdominal injections, which came with difficult side effects. She shared how the medications affected her emotionally, triggering irritability, anxiety, stress, and heightened emotions.  </p><p>The battle became even more challenging by late March 2025 when some of her medications had to be stopped, and her oral chemotherapy changed after her liver reacted negatively. It was during this period, she admitted, that the reality of her illness fully sank in. </p><p>Despite the setbacks, Kaye remained disciplined with her diet and lifestyle, determined to keep her body strong throughout treatment. </p><p>After months of medication and treatment, Kaye eventually succeeded not only in overcoming cancer but also in saving her right breast from mastectomy. </p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2026/3/3/kaye-abad-in-isolation-after-contracting-herpangina-0826"><strong><u>READ: Kaye Abad in isolation after contracting herpangina</u></strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>In March 2026, she underwent surgery in Singapore to remove the tumor. Following the successful procedure, doctors finally gave her the news she had long prayed for, saying that she is now cancer-free. </p><p>Following her oncologist’s guidance, she will continue taking maintenance medication for the next five to ten years to help prevent the disease from returning. </p><p>Looking back on the difficult year, Kaye became emotional as she expressed gratitude to those who stood by her. </p><p>“It’s been a tough year, but with the support of my family... my brother, my sister, Paul Jake’s family, some of my friends na may alam – they were there supporting me. Lagi nila akong pinapatawa, always [encouraging] me na ‘you can do it, tuloy lang, fight’... with their help, it made this fight easier for me.” </p><p>Among those she credited most was her husband, Paul Jake, whom she described as a pillar of patience and strength throughout the ordeal. </p><p>“Especially sa husband ko, si Paul Jake. Him being patient with me with this journey, malaking tulong yun kasi hindi madali yung pinagdaanan ko... yung menopausal stage, yung temper, nag-iiba yung mood ko, or yung brain ko super slow I cannot function, kailangan talaga ng patience sa partner.” </p><p>“I would like to thank my husband for being there for me. Sa one year na ito, alam ko it’s been tough fighting with me and dealing with me sa pinagdadaanan ko. Again, thank you for being with me.” </p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DUw9H76DwYU/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=768&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A6444319.399999976%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="647" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>Her sons Pio and Inigo, meanwhile, became one of her greatest motivations to continue fighting. </p><p>“To my kids, of course, kung saan din ako kumukuha ng lakas... to my boys, thank you for being my rock. Kung hindi rin dahil sa inyo, hindi ako magkakaroon ng urge to fight. Yun yung journey ko for one year.” </p><p>“I’m very thankful also number one kay God kasi He’s been always there. He never left me. Since day one hanggang sa nalaman ko na kumalat na sa liver, He’s been there. Lagi kong sinasabi sa Kaniya na excited ako na maging inspiration sa ibang tao”. </p><p>Now that she has survived the disease, Kaye said her greatest hope is for her experience to offer courage to others facing similar struggles. </p><p>“I hope na maging inspiration ako sa ibang tao to fight and go on with your life. Lakasan lang yung loob, stay positive, everything will be okay. Magtiwala lang kayo sa Kaniya”. </p><p>“Ngayon okay na ako. Now I can say that I’m a cancer survivor,” she maintained.  </p><p>Kaye also revealed that keeping her diagnosis private from most people turned out to be a major source of relief. </p><p>Aside from close friends and select family members, she chose not to publicly share her condition during treatment, explaining that avoiding constant questions and concern allowed her to focus on healing and feel “treated as normal” despite her diagnosis. </p><p>She also shared that she contracted herpangina in February after her immune system weakened during treatment. </p><p>Wanting to give back and share what she learned through her journey, the actress said netizens are free to send questions about her experience, which she hopes to answer in a separate vlog.</p>

<p>Cancer survivor Kaye Abad said she hopes her story becomes a source of strength and inspiration for others facing their own battles. </p>

Cancer survivor Kaye Abad said she hopes her story becomes a source of strength and inspiration for others facing their own battles.