Comedian Mark Steel recently revealed that he has been diagnosed with a treatable form of cancer, according to a report by The Mirror. Mark shared the details of his diagnosis in a blog post on his personal website, recounting how he first noticed an unusual swelling in his neck while shaving. In a humorous tone, Mark quipped, “I had to double-check from multiple angles before I believed the reflection in the mirror. When you first notice something out of the ordinary on your body, your initial reaction is to think it might be a trick of the mind. Perhaps it’s a distortion caused by a lunar eclipse or the northern lights, or maybe I’ve somehow mistaken my neck for my thigh.” Initially, Mark dismissed his symptoms as a possible infection and carried on for two weeks without much concern. However, as time passed, the swelling in his neck continued to grow, prompting him to make an appointment with a doctor.
Mark confessed, “In the following week, I ended up in the doctor’s office, employing the relaxed demeanor commonly adopted by many men when broaching health concerns, stating, ‘I’m sure it’s nothing, I apologize for bothering you.'” After a physical examination, the doctor referred him to a hospital for a scan due to the concerning size and irregularity of the growth. It was during this period that Mark began to suspect the severity of his condition.
He remembered, “Several nights later, a doctor phoned and inquired about my symptoms, and it dawned on me that these questions were far from subtle hints about an infection.” Despite his multiple visits to the hospital, Mark clung to the hope that his condition could somehow be linked to using a poorly designed pillow during sleep. Following a biopsy, Mark was informed that he would receive the results within a week. However, after nearly 14 days passed without any updates, he was informed that the biopsy had been misplaced during transit. Shortly thereafter, Mark received a phone call confirming his cancer diagnosis. He recounted the conversation, saying, “Then a completely unfamiliar voice told me I needed to undergo another biopsy the following day ‘to determine the stage of your cancer.’ ‘Wait,’ I interjected, ‘Hasn’t anyone confirmed that it’s definitely cancer? Are you telling me it’s definitely cancer?’ She hesitated before responding, ‘Yes. Didn’t anyone inform you?'” In his candid blog post, Mark emphasized the importance of treating NHS (National Health Service) staff with respect and understanding, despite the frustrations he encountered. He acknowledged their challenging working conditions and urged readers not to direct their frustrations at them.
He also questioned how his biopsy had been misplaced and the cancer diagnosis delayed. Subsequent to the biopsy’s recovery, Mark was informed that he had cancer in at least two areas, with the “primary cancer” located in his throat, which was highly treatable. Further scans showed that the cancer had not spread beyond his neck and throat region, offering a positive outlook for treatment. Mark concluded his post by sharing that he was just a few days away from an operation to confirm the cancer’s location, after which a treatment plan would be initiated. He expressed hope that he could return to performing in approximately six months, concluding optimistically, “So, that’s my current situation. I have cancer, but it’s a cancer that can be treated and eliminated.”
