Rhod Gilbert has stressed the importance of getting any persisting unusual health changes checked immediately, following his own cancer ordeal.
In 2022, the comedian was diagnosed with stage four head and neck cancer after suffering from a range of symptoms, including a sore throat, a cough that wouldn’t go away, difficulty swallowing, and occasional choking.
With sore throats and coughs being particularly prevalent during winter months, the 56-year-old didn’t think it was anything too serious at first.
After test results also revealed no concerns, medics began to wonder if his career in comedy or even Covid-19 might explain the symptoms.
Alarm bells swiftly rang after he then discovered a lump on his neck, which, after further investigation, determined his cancer.
“Luckily that lump popped up,” he told Reach PLC. “If that lump hadn’t have popped up, I don’t know what would’ve happened, I would dread to think.”
Addressing how symptoms could be overlooked, although not necessarily of concern, he further added: “I think that one of the problems we’ve got is some cancers don’t have any symptoms. With some of them, the symptoms could well be something else and they’re more likely to be something else.
“If you’ve got a cough, that doesn’t mean you’ve got cancer, it means you’ve got a cough or you’ve got Covid or whatever, it could be anything.
“The problem with coughs as well, you hear about this 100-day cough, but I think the general rule is if anything persists and doesn’t go away, if it won’t go away after a few weeks, then get it checked out.
“Don’t panic and make sure you can do anything you can to get it checked out.”
Following what he described as “brutal” but “wonderful” treatment at Cardiff’s Velindre Cancer Centre, Rhod received the all-clear in 2023.
Now back in good health, the comedian has returned to the stage with his Rhod Gilbert and the Giant Grapefruit tour.
“My treatment was wonderful, and I was given the all clear in May 2023,” he shared. “I am currently all clear and now having ENT camera checks every six months.”
On being back on tour, he added: “I feel great, my energy levels are good and I’m just really happy to be up there. I can’t believe really quite how well I feel, I’ve got problems in my neck, throat area and my mouth area, but other than that, I feel great.”
The NHS informs that head and neck cancer is not particularly common in the UK, with around 12,400 cases detected annually.
The National Cancer Institute has highlighted that symptoms of head and neck cancer may include a lump in the neck, a persistent and possibly painful mouth or throat sore, enduring sore throat, difficulty swallowing, and changes or hoarseness in the voice.
While these symptoms could be indicative of less serious conditions, it’s crucial to seek medical advice if they persist.
