CHRIS' HEALTH BATTLE
Virgin Radio host Chris Evans, 57, reveals live-on-air he’s been diagnosed with skin cancer
VIRGIN Radio host Chris Evans has revealed he's been diagnosed with skin cancer.
The broadcaster, 57, today announced on his show that doctors gave him the terrifying news recently.
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He went on to tell listeners that it was thankfully found in the extremely early stages.
Chris said he was hoping for a full recovery as skin cancer is one of the most treatable forms of the illness.
He said this morning: "We need to discuss what's going on with this issue. It is a melanoma.
"I have tested positive for skin cancer and they've caught it as early as they can. As early as possible.
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"There's this phrase called a malignant melanoma - you know once you get something and you find out all about it - that is a redundant phrase because if it is a melanoma it is malignant.
"But it's been caught so early, just so you know, that it should be completely treatable.
"And this has only happened because Dee, this angel sent from heaven who gives me this massage every Friday, saw this freckle on my shin and said 'Do me a favour Chris, go and get that checked out'.
"I didn't and then the next week she said 'Have you been to see anyone, Chris you need to go. It's probably nothing but just go. That doesn't look like a normal freckle to me'.
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"Anyway so I went and got it tested.
"Then while I was away the email came through saying 'Can you please call we need to discuss your results'.
"But because they've caught it so early it is as treatable as cancer can possibly be - to the extent they call it Stage 0.
"[Treatment] will happen on the 14th of September."
The running enthusiast who did the London marathon this year went on to say he can't run for one month afterwards.
He joked: "I can't run for a month afterwards so I'm going to do nothing but run until then. Is that ok?"
It comes after he told of his cancer scare back in 2019.
The host revealed he had undergone a skin cancer test after discovering concerning marks on his body before Christmas that year.
He said the hot weather Brits had that summer and the "high levels of UV" raised concerns for him.
He previously said: "I went and had a few marks on my body inspected by a skin expert before Christmas and she said, ‘You need to come and see me again, just because of your complexion’.”
He added the expert told him he had “nothing to worry about” but said she advised him to get checked once a year.
And in 2015, Chris had his first health scare which left him needing tests for prostate cancer.
After admitting he was "scared half to death", the results came back all-clear.
According to , skin cancers can look very different and the symptoms can vary.
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The symptoms of melanoma include a change in a mole, freckle, or a normal patch of skin.
If you have any concerns you should book in with your GP.
All about melanoma
In women, the most common specific location for melanoma skin cancers in the UK is the legs.
Men are more likely to see melanomas in their trunk - the back or torso.
Most experts recommend using the simple “ABCDE” rule to look for symptoms of melanoma skin cancer, which can appear anywhere on the body.
There are five letters/words to remember:
- Asymmetrical – melanomas usually have two very different halves and are an irregular shape
- Border – melanomas usually have a notched or ragged border
- Colours – melanomas will usually be a mix of two or more colours
- Diameter – most melanomas are usually larger than 6mm in diameter
- Enlargement or elevation – a mole that changes size over time is more likely to be a melanoma
The first sign of non-melanoma skin cancer is usually the appearance of a lump or discoloured patch on the skin, the NHS says.
It persists after a few weeks and slowly progresses over months or sometimes years.
In most cases, cancerous lumps are red and firm and sometimes turn into ulcers. Cancerous patches are usually flat and scaly.
While these symptoms may be caused by another underlying health issue, Cancer Research UK warns they are also signs of advanced melanoma:
- Hard or swollen lymph nodes
- Hard lump on your skin
- Unexplained pain
- Feeling very tired or unwell
- Unexplained weight loss
- Yellowing of eyes and skin (jaundice)
- Build up of fluid in your tummy (abdomen) - ascites
- Tummy pain
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