Antonia San Juan explains why she shares her cancer on social media
Spanish actress Antonia San Juan has revealed in an Instagram video why she publicly documents her cancer treatment. She aims to break the taboo surrounding the word 'cancer' and provide solidary support to other patients. At 64, the star of 'La que se avecina' responds to criticisms about her openness.
Antonia San Juan, born in Gran Canaria and 64 years old, went public with her cancer diagnosis on September 3, 2025, in an Instagram video addressed to her 479,000 followers. In it, she promised: “I will do everything possible to cure myself,” accompanied by one of her two dogs. Since then, she has shared updates on tests like a PET-TAC and the start of chemotherapy cycles.
On October 6, 2025, she posted a new video with over 5,680 likes in a few hours, explaining her purpose: to dismantle the cancer taboo. “There are people who can't even pronounce it or hear it, and the only thing I've wanted is to take away that power it has. You can say: ‘I have a flu, I have a cold...’. But not the word ‘cancer’,” she said. She recalled how her family, including her mother, avoided the word, calling it “a bad thing”.
San Juan stressed her intention is solidary: “My intention is solidary, to share moments and circumstances with people in the same situation as me,” so they know someone known is going through the same. She defended her decision against accusations of selling her life: “I want to clarify that I have never sold anything, I have never sat on a set [...] I talk about the illness, I don't go into details nor do I want to play the victim”.
She is already experiencing physical changes, such as hair loss; on October 5, she shared a shaved-head photo with the text: “I am happy, because I can look inward and not feel shame for what I find.” Her last chemotherapy session is scheduled for December 30, 2025. She advised other patients: “Obviously, the illness causes a physical change. But you have to keep the illusion of taking care of yourself physically, without obsessing,” like applying cream.
Professionally, she has postponed performances of her theatrical show 'La ropa vieja de Cuca' until early 2026 on medical recommendation, apologizing to the public. She remembered her mother: “When I was young, I remember my mother always saying that health is important and I said: ‘Oh, mom, how annoying you are’. Now I think of her every day”.
“To the people who are sick, my support, because I am too and they support me,” she concluded, highlighting the support received.