Doctor urges woman to undergo cancer surgery, she takes month-long Antarctica trip instead; what happened next?

A 67-year-old woman from southwestern China who spent her savings on a month-long expedition to Antarctica after being diagnosed with thyroid cancer returned home to discover that her tumour had shrunk, with doctors telling her that surgery was not immediately necessary.

Wang Ying, an amateur wildlife photographer from Kunming, Yunnan province, was diagnosed with the disease in 2013 as she prepared to retire from her job as a school administrator. Doctors advised her to undergo surgery without delay, according to the Shanghai Morning Post. However, the diagnosis prompted Wang to pursue a long-held dream of photographing penguins in Antarctica.

“If I were to die, I wished to die somewhere far away. I absolutely did not want to have surgery,” Wang recalled.


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China woman spends savings on Antarctica trip after cancer diagnosis

Wang had spent decades photographing birds and had captured images of more than 1,200 species. Following her diagnosis, she decided to travel to Antarctica, even though the month-long expedition cost 150,000 yuan (US$22,000), more than her savings could cover. Her mother helped her pay the remaining amount.

During the trip, Wang set herself the goal of photographing a mother penguin feeding her chick. She remained outdoors for extended periods even as other tourists returned indoors, enduring temperatures of minus 10 degrees Celsius, strong winds and heavy snowfall.

Her patience eventually paid off when a mother penguin returned from fishing and fed its chick, allowing Wang to capture the scene.

“I took pictures of this precious moment. I was so happy! Seeing them walk together and look for their home, I felt very touched,” she was quoted as saying.

Tumour shrinks after return from Antarctica, doctors defer surgery

After returning to China, Wang went to the hospital for a follow-up examination. The results surprised her: the tumour had shrunk compared with the findings from her previous examination a month earlier.

Doctors told her that surgery was not necessary at that point, although they advised her to continue monitoring the condition closely.

The change gave Wang renewed hope and strengthened her determination to live. Her story, however, does not establish that the Antarctica trip or the experience of travelling caused the tumour to shrink.

Wildlife photography becomes focus after health scare

Since the trip, Wang has continued to devote her time and money to bird photography. She has travelled to more than 30 countries and spent her entire pension on advanced photography equipment.

Her plans include visits to the United States, Peru and several African countries this year and next.

Reflecting on how travel has changed her outlook, Wang said: “After travelling to many places and seeing a variety of things, I have come to terms with changes in life. I won’t make a fuss about some issues now.”

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Story sparks discussion on social media

Wang’s experience has attracted considerable attention on Chinese social media, where users have discussed both her recovery and the relationship between emotional well-being and physical health.

One user suggested that a positive mood and adequate rest could strengthen immunity and help the body fight tumour cells. Another noted that thyroid cancer generally has a high survival rate and is often less aggressive than some other cancers, while expressing happiness at Wang’s improvement.

Wang’s experience remains an individual medical case. Her tumour’s shrinkage after the trip does not prove that travel, cold weather or a positive outlook can treat cancer, and her doctors have advised continued medical monitoring.