Comedian Mark Steel reveals cancer diagnosis, here's what we know

Mark Steel is a 63-year-old comedian. On his blog, he revealed that he was given a life-changing diagnosis after noticing an abnormality on his body back in June 2023. At first, the comedian put the abnormality down to an infection, but when it got bigger, he discovered it was much worse.

After seeing his doctor, Steel was told he had cancer but his journey to get his diagnosis was not as simple as you would in such a stressful time in your life. Steel recounts his journey from discovering the lump to finally receiving his diagnosis on his website. Mark also expresses his views on the NHSalong the way.

Mark Steel was diagnosed with throat cancer

As reported by Daily Mail, Mark Steel had noticed his neck was ‘looking much bigger than normal’ back in June 2023 whilst he was shaving. Steel explains that he initially thought it was simply an infection after looking up his symptoms online.

However, the comedian’s neck got larger, which led him to go see a doctor, who booked him for a scan at the hospital. Steel revealed that this was the appointment when ‘everything changed’ as he was told he would need a biopsy.

He wrote on his blog:

“Biopsy?” I thought, “But that’s how cancer starts. It always starts with a biopsy,' before adding, 'a biopsy makes everything seem grotesquely, cancerously real.'

Typically, this is when you would be given your diagnosis, but for Mark, he was told that the hospital had lost his biopsy and would need to have another one 'to see what stage of cancer you have'.

He explained:

"Hang on," I said, "No one has said it’s definitely cancer, are you saying it’s definitely cancer?" She paused. "Yes. Had no one told you?"

Mark Steel is optimistic despite his cancer diagnosis

Despite the hassle of getting his diagnosis, Mark Steel doesn’t blame the NHS for the issue stating that they are underpaid and treated poorly:

Most of the staff are paid appallingly and treated with contempt. Their minister quit and went on I’m a Celebrity, so don’t take out your frustrations on them. Even so, it’s reasonable to ask politely how they could have lost the biopsy and forgotten to tell me I had f***ing cancer

Steel goes on to reveal that he was diagnosed with cancer in two places, and the ‘primary cancer’ in his throat is ‘very treatable’. He added that nowadays, most cancers are treatable and not the end like they used to be:

Most cancers now are seen as curable. Even the ones that aren’t curable are treatable, and patients live for many years. My generation were brought up thinking cancer was as final as being beheaded, but that’s no longer true. If it’s cancer, there will be a plan to deal with the cancer.

Finally, Steel said that his treatment will be starting soon and he is confident that he will return to performing in 6 months.

Read more:

⋙ Breast Cancer Awareness Month: These 8 celebrities have been diagnosed with breast cancer

⋙ Amy Dowden shares her recovery since having a mastectomy during breast cancer treatment

⋙ Sarah Ferguson had breast cancer surgery, here’s how she’s doing now

Sources used:

Daily Mail: ‘Comedian Mark Steel reveals he has been diagnosed with throat cancer and is taking a six month break from performing to get treatment’

Marksteelinfo.com: ‘Cancer’