For anyone following these Conversation with pieces, you may know from reading a previous one with Watanabe Misako that I had cancer when I was younger. It’s always been an ongoing thing for me to talk more about cancer as so many people are affected by it, and I believe talking really helps with understanding what people are going through.

So, with this in mind, on World Cancer Day, I wanted to quickly catch up with some climbers who are affected by this awful disease, and one of those people is South Korea’s Song Yunchan.

I don’t want to talk about myself too much in these conversations, but to give some back story, mine and Yunchan’s story has some big similarities.

“I have a disease called Hodgkin's lymphoma,” says Yunchan. That is the same form of cancer I had, and at 17 years-old we are around the same age when we had it – I was 15.

Before we talk about cancer, I wanted to know how and when Yunchan started climbing, after all, this is how we met and why we are all here: “I started climbing around nine years ago. From a very young age I liked to hang on to and off things, so my parents got me into watching climbing and it started from there.”

Much like myself, sport, and in this case climbing for Yunchan, was the reason the cancer was discovered.

“The reason I found out it was lymphoma was because I had severe abdominal pain during the Olympic Qualifier Series in Budapest. When I got home I did some tests and found out it was lymphoma.”

The Olympic Qualifier Series (OQS) was the opportunity to reach Paris 2024. Whether you think you have a chance to qualify or not, it is a massive stage for your climbing, and especially at 17. What should have been a great experience I’ve no doubt has changed in Yunchan’s mind as he will most likely always remember it for another reason now.

The OQS was in June last year, and Yunchan is still going through treatment, and I can say from experience, nothing can prepare you for what is going to happen as everyone is different. Yes, there are common side effects to cancer treatment, but common doesn’t mean it will happen to everyone.

“I was given a total of twelve anti-cancer medications once every two weeks,” explains Yunchan. “When I was treated, it was really hard because of the side effects of medication. The biggest thing for me though was I couldn't exercise. It was a real shame.”

Side effects for Yunchan meant: “I had severe skin problems, and I fainted in severe cases due to decreased immunity and low blood pressure, and most of all, I couldn't eat well because of my appetite suppression.”

This is where I have to say, Yunchan is one tough young man! When I remember my side effects, I always think people have/had it much worse than me and I’m not sure how I would have coped. If you thought climbers were tough before, I assure you Yunchan is up there with the toughest now!

One thing I remember from my time is nothing really prepares you for the news that you have cancer, so how did Yunchan take it?

“When I first heard of lymphoma I was very upset, but I think I tried to think positively because there was a high probability of being cured.”

What you are told and how much totally depends on the doctor breaking the news to you, and in my case I was told: ‘if you are going to get cancer, Hodgkins lymphoma is the one you want.’

I say this because despite having a ‘high probability of being cured’ or it being a ‘good one to have’, it’s still cancer. It’s still brutal. And just hearing Yunchan’s side effects I know he is downplaying how hard it is, but in a way you need to to get yourself through.

I didn’t really know Yunchan before as we hadn’t spoken much, so I don’t know how mature he was before cancer. If my experience is anything to go by, I think he would have matured even quicker because of the news, and I think that even more after listening to him talk about the present and future.

“I'm always thankful to the people who cheered for me every day, and I'm happy to be able to climb again. I still have radiotherapy left, and I'm in great condition.”

It’s strange how your perspective changes in these scenarios. How many people on the World Cup circuit, or in life in general, would describe themselves as ‘in great condition’ when they have to go through radiotherapy…

Looking further ahead than more treatment, Yunchan has his eyes set on a bigger target: “First of all, my current goal is to climb again in good health. Furthermore, my goal is LA28.”

I know I’m supposed to be impartial in my job, but as a human being, I’m rooting for Yunchan. Maybe I will be interviewing him again in Los Angeles and we can share some more cancer stories from our past.

For now though, I just want to say it again: Yunchan is one tough young man, and I can’t wait to see him on the World Cup circuit again.

By Richard Aspland