Hong Kong veteran actor Law Kar Ying has revealed that his prostate cancer has returned, with his medical expenses now exceeding HK$10,000 a month. At 80, the actor says the rising cost of healthcare is one reason he continues accepting work even though he has long wanted to retire.
Law made the disclosure while speaking to reporters at a recent event, where he was asked whether he still works to provide a household allowance for his wife, veteran actress Liza Wang Ming Chun.
His answer was lighthearted, but the reason behind it was more serious.
Law joked that supporting his wife is not his only financial responsibility. He also has to pay his own medical bills.
“Seeing a doctor is actually very expensive,” Law said, explaining that his medical expenses have reached more than HK$10,000 a month.
For the actor, earning and saving money has become part of planning for his later years. He said he wants to build up his savings while he is still capable of working because having money later in life can make it easier to pay for care and assistance.
Law Kar Ying Says Retirement Is Harder Than Expected
Law has spent decades in Hong Kong's entertainment industry and has gradually reduced his workload in recent years.
He has already turned down numerous offers, but completely retiring has proved difficult.
The actor said work opportunities sometimes arrive one after another, particularly when they come through people with whom he has personal relationships. Even when he intends to take a break, he finds it difficult to refuse every request.
That has left Law caught between two very different goals.
On one side, he wants to retire and enjoy his life without the demands of regular work. On the other, he knows that continued income can help him cover medical costs and prepare for the future.
Law said he hopes to earn and save more money while he still has the ability to work.
His concern is not simply about having more money for everyday spending. He is thinking about what happens when he becomes less able to look after himself.
“If you have more money in your hands when you’re old, you can have more people to take care of you. Otherwise, it can be very miserable,” he said.
A Three Month Plan for Golf Never Happened
Law's busy schedule has affected even the simple things he hoped to do after reducing his workload.
The actor recently considered taking up golf, hoping the sport could give him something enjoyable to focus on during his later years.
Instead, arranging everything took around three months.
By the time the arrangements were made, his work commitments had become too demanding, and Law eventually abandoned the plan.
The story captures the difficulty he faces in trying to create a quieter life.
Retirement may sound straightforward, but for Law, professional commitments and relationships within the entertainment industry continue to pull him back into work.
He has rejected many offers, yet new opportunities keep appearing.
At the same time, his health has made the decision more complicated. His recurring prostate cancer and continuing medical expenses mean financial security remains an important consideration.
Law Has Battled Cancer for More Than Two Decades
Law's latest cancer disclosure follows a long history of serious health problems.
He was diagnosed with stage three liver cancer in 2004.
Nine years later, in 2013, he was hospitalised after developing a liver tumour and experiencing kidney problems.
The actor was later diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2019.
He subsequently recovered, but the prostate cancer later returned.
Law has previously spoken about his decision not to undergo chemotherapy or radiotherapy after the cancer returned. Instead, he chose to manage his condition with medication.
His decision reflects his own circumstances and preferences. It should not be interpreted as medical advice for other cancer patients, whose treatment decisions depend on their diagnosis and the recommendations of their medical teams.
For Law, however, the focus has been on continuing his life while managing the condition.
That includes working when he feels able, attending public events and paying closer attention to his daily routine.
Why Law Is Focusing More on Sleep
One of Law's main health priorities is getting enough rest.
The actor said he sleeps for more than eight hours a day and takes naps whenever he has time.
Sleep has become particularly important as he continues balancing work with his health.
Law has also changed his approach to massage therapy.
He previously suffered from sciatica and said massages had helped ease his lower back pain. In recent years, however, he has stopped getting massages regularly.
These changes form part of a broader effort to pay more attention to his physical condition while continuing to remain active.
At 80, Law is no longer approaching his health in the same way he might have earlier in his career. Rest, medication and careful management of his schedule have become increasingly important.
Rising Medical Costs Add Pressure
Law's comments about spending more than HK$10,000 a month on medical care also reveal the financial pressure that can accompany long term illness.
His medical history includes multiple serious conditions over many years, meaning healthcare has remained part of his life well beyond a single diagnosis or treatment period.
For Law, the cost has become another reason to think carefully about money.
He wants to save while he can still work because he knows that his future needs may increase.
His comments about having enough money to pay for people to care for him show that his concerns extend beyond medical appointments and medication. He is also thinking about the practical realities of ageing.
That may help explain why he continues accepting selected jobs despite repeatedly saying he would like to retire.
Law Kar Ying Continues Working at 80
Law has not returned to the intense working schedule associated with the busiest years of his career.
Instead, he continues to appear at selected events and accept commercial work when opportunities arise.
His approach appears to be one of balance. He wants to protect his health and enjoy his personal life, but he also wants to remain financially independent for as long as possible.
The actor's comments about his medical bills have given fans a rare insight into that calculation.
At 80, retirement is no longer simply about deciding whether he wants to work. It is also about whether he can afford to stop.
Law's recurring prostate cancer, monthly medical expenses and desire to prepare for future care have all become part of that decision.
A Different Chapter for the Veteran Actor
Law Kar Ying has spent more than two decades dealing with serious health challenges, yet he continues to maintain a connection with the entertainment industry.
His story has changed considerably since his first cancer diagnosis in 2004.
Today, he is more selective about work, pays greater attention to sleep and manages his recurring prostate cancer with medication after deciding against chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
He has also tried to make room for retirement activities, although even his plan to take up golf eventually fell away because of his busy schedule.
For Law, the next chapter appears to be about finding a workable balance between health, money, family and the career he has spent decades building.
His message about saving money for old age is equally direct. He wants to remain able to pay for the care he may need rather than leave that responsibility to others.
At 80, Law is still working, but his priorities have changed. The question is no longer simply how long he can remain in the entertainment industry. It is how he can protect his health and financial independence while making the most of the time ahead.
What do you think Law Kar Ying's decision to keep working at 80 says about the financial pressures of retirement and long term healthcare?