Radio host Chris Evans gives health warning after he’s diagnosed with cancer
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Chris Evans has given people a warning after being diagnosed with skin cancer that he says is 'completely treatable'.
The radio star announced his diagnosis on his Virgin Radio show yesterday (21 August) morning to his loyal listeners, but reassured them that the cancer had been caught early and he was due to go into treatment soon.
Evans had previously been tested for skin cancer back in 2020 after becoming worried when he found marks on his body, saying he'd been alarmed by the high levels of UV that summer.
His doctor told him he had 'nothing to worry about' but advised him to get regular check-ups 'just because of your complexion'.
Having kept to the sound advice of regular check-ups, the radio host said his cancer had been 'caught early' and he'll begin treatment on 14 September.
Evans has given his listeners a warning which he hopes will help them, having said that his skin cancer is 'as treatable as cancer can be' and described it as 'stage zero'.
He said: "Just keep checking, because the biggest weapon in your arsenal, in our collective arsenal, is early detection. And so please do that.
"When I went to see a skin specialist three or four years ago for a check on a couple of other things on my hands she said to me that because of my colouring it was probably not a question of if, it was a question of when.
"She put me on alert and readied me for something that could happen - and it has happened.
"She said to me there was no way I should ever be out in the sun at the height of the day, or at least as far as even bare arms in a T-shirt.
"But for years I did, before I became aware. And lots of people will be - and I have been - putting factor 50 on. But I didn’t do that much when I was younger."
The 57-year-old said people should be on the lookout for a freckle or mole that had either newly appeared or changed without warning.
Unfortunately for Evans one of his was 'on the back of my calf' where he couldn't easily see it and he urged people to be as diligent as possible while checking out moles and new marks.
It was spotted by a friend of his who thought it important enough that he should get it checked out.
The radio star's advice was for people to take the proper precautions when out in the sun, regularly check themselves for new spots or marks and to get the help of others to have a proper look if they had someone who could do that.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact Macmillan’s Cancer Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 8am–8pm seven days a week
