Best known for his breakout roles in the Taiwanese idol-drama wave during the early 2000s, Singaporean actor and singer Leon Jay Williams reveals that he has been diagnosed with thyroid cancer. He also shared post-surgery photos in an emotional reflection on Instagram. The 49-year-old actor has already undergone two surgeries to remove most of the malignant tumor. He said he will need ongoing monitoring, monthly blood tests, and daily medication as part of his new normal.
In his post, Leon Jay Williams described the shock that came with the diagnosis. “Sometimes you think something will never happen to you. It only happens to others and we hear stories of it,” he wrote. “We are all just at the mercy of what’s waiting to happen next… What we CAN control, is how we FACE it.”
He admitted that the early days were overwhelming. “I was diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer a few months ago and my whole world crumbled in those early days of uncertainty,” he shared. But after the initial fear settled, he chose resilience: “I just decided to face the consequences positively and go through the process of getting better.” He added, “After two surgeries, some radiation therapy and an interesting scar as a souvenir, things are looking up.” He says the battle is won for now, but the war with cancer isn’t over.
“It was not an easy few months… The thought of not being able to see my daughter grow up was my greatest fear,” he confessed. He worried about upsetting his 85-year-old mother and found it difficult to suddenly stop being physically active. Still, he highlighted: “It’s amazing what the human body can adapt to once you put your mind to it.” He is very grateful towards his wife, mother, daughter and brother.
Facing illness reshaped his priorities. “When one is healthy you have a million problems, but when one is sick, you have only one,” he wrote, encouraging readers to consider what truly matters. For him, it meant his bucket list was out of the picture as his own desires became simple. He wrote, “I did not wish to travel the world… buy a bigger house or fancier car. I just wanted to get back to my regular daily routine and spend time with my loved ones.”
Williams closed with hope and gratitude: “I don’t know what the future holds for me but I’m savouring every day I have and I’m just happy to BE present… Don’t worry, I’m doing good for now. Love you all and see everyone soon!”
Source: leonjaywilliams / Instagram
