Radio host Chris Evans has been diagnosed with cancer
Virgin Radio presenter Chris Evans has announced he has been diagnosed with skin cancer, having shared the news with listeners during his show earlier this morning (Monday 21 August).
Evans, 57, previously spoke out about concerns when he underwent a skin cancer test back in 2020, having become worried after finding marks on his body before Christmas.
The dad-of-five said the 'high levels of UV' Brits had experienced as they enjoyed the summer that year raised alarm for him.
Advert
According to the Sun, he said at the time: "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.’”
Evans added that the expert had told him he had 'nothing to worry about', but advised he get checked out once a year.
The broadcaster confirmed today that he has now been diagnosed with skin cancer, and that he is due to start treatment within a matter of weeks.
Evans explained how he was hopeful it was 'completely treatable', as the cancer was caught early.
He said: "We need to discuss what's going on with this issue. It is a melanoma.
"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.
"[Treatment] will happen on the 14th of September."
The British star - who ran the London marathon this year - said he wouldn't be able to run for a month after treatment, adding: "I can't run for a month afterwards so I'm going to do nothing but run until then. Is that ok?"
In 2015, Evans revealed he was in the midst of a 'prostate cancer issue', urging his BBC Radio 2 listeners to get tested as he warned it was a 'fine line between happiness and tragedy'.
He said: "Thank you once again to Kenney Jones, of The Who, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer a couple of years ago and since recovery has been a fundraiser and supporter of Prostate Cancer UK.
"Prostate cancer, and colon cancer of course, are one of the most survivable forms of cancer there is, if caught early enough.
"It's a fine line between life and death, happiness and tragedy."
He continued: "And I've got to say I'm in the middle of a prostate issue right now! I couldn't stop. I have not been able to stop since Christmas - peeing - or wanting to go. So I've gone to the doctor.
"I've done all the internet stuff that you shouldn't do, I've gone on the internet, scared myself half to death, then gone to see the doctor.
"And we really should do it the other way round. However I'm in the middle of the tests."
In 2011, he also spoke about a bowel cancer scare after having surgery to remove pre-cancerous growths, which had been detected during a colonoscopy.
Evans - whose father died from bowel cancer when the radio host was just 13 - said on-air: "I was recommended by my doctor to go and have another doctor look at what's going on down below because of the history of cancer in my family so I went for this routine operation yesterday.
"So I went along for this routine check and anyway, here's the thing, they found some nasties up there and they removed them like that. Done, done deal."
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
Topics: Cancer, Celebrity, Health, UK News, DJ Chris Evans
Jess Hardiman