Mark Steel has shared the happy news that he is now cancer-free and thanked the doctors who “saved his life” after his battle with throat cancer.
The comedian, 63, revealed he had been diagnosed with the condition in October after discovering a lump on his neck while shaving.
While Mark assured fans at the time that this was cancer “that you can get rid of,” he shared the encouraging news that he is now cancer-free on Friday.
In a post on The treatment worked, the cancer repressed him and he ran away, the coward.
He added jokingly: ‘One thing I’ve learned through all of this is that I don’t recommend chemotherapy or radiotherapy as recreational drugs. I don’t see them taking off in the clubs.
Comedian Mark Steel has shared the happy news that he is cancer-free after a battle with throat cancer after finding a lump while shaving last October (pictured in 2011).
The comedian, 63, revealed he had been diagnosed with the disease in October after discovering a lump on his neck while shaving, but said it was a cancer ‘that you can get rid of’ (pictured at the Hammersmith Apollo in 2014).
‘UCLH is an incredible place full of wonderful souls. They have saved my life but I think this mention on Twitter equals us. Plus, I discovered that my son and daughter are wonderful and that I know a lot of brilliant people who are wonderfully kind, funny, and rude.
‘And…many of you sent me messages that were VERY appreciated and I would marry all of you if there wasn’t a law against it. Now I will be silent, after the book, the tour and the musical ‘My journey against cancer’. And from now on I will be careful not to get cancer again.’
Sharing their support, friends and family were quick to send their love to the star.
Comedian and friend Janey Godley wrote: ‘I’m so happy for you,’ and Dara Ó Briain wrote: ‘Congratulations Mark! Delighted to hear that.’ David Baddiel also commented: ‘What a cuckold. Great news.’
Last October, he revealed that he had noticed his neck “seemed much larger than normal” while shaving in June, but after Googling the symptoms he assumed it was an infection.
However, his neck enlarged, prompting him to consult a doctor, who booked him for a scan at the hospital.
Mark recalled that during their appointment was when ‘everything changed’ after the radiologist told him he would need a biopsy.
He wrote: ‘“Biopsy?” I thought, “But this is how cancer starts. It always starts with a biopsy,” before adding, “a biopsy makes everything seem grotesquely, cancerously real.”
Mark took to Twitter to share the big news.
He added jokingly: ‘One thing I’ve learned through all of this is that I don’t recommend chemotherapy or radiotherapy as recreational drugs. I don’t see them taking off in the clubs.
Sharing their support, friends and family were quick to send their love to the star.
A doctor then gave him a prognosis over the phone that his “chances” were “not good.”
Mark then explained that they emailed him and told him that his biopsy was lost and that he would have to come in for another one “to see what stage of the cancer he is at.”
He wrote: “Wait,” I said, “no one has said it’s definitely cancer, are you saying it’s definitely cancer?” She paused. “Yes. Didn’t anyone tell you?”
The comedy writer said he did not blame the NHS but said: ‘The majority of staff are paid horrendous wages and treated with contempt. His minister resigned and continued: I’m a celebrity, so don’t take out your frustrations on them. Still, it’s reasonable to politely ask how they could have missed the biopsy and forgotten to tell me I had fucking cancer.”
In his typical comedic style, he wrote about the discomfort of having to tell his son, daughter, agent, friends and partner.
He said: “I was in the early, exciting, slightly hesitant stages of a new relationship that looked extremely promising. So one night I had to say, ‘By the way, I might have cancer.’
Mark was eventually diagnosed with cancer in two places, but explained that the “primary cancer” in his throat is “very treatable.”
He said he had noticed his neck “looked a lot bigger than normal” while shaving in June, but after Googling the symptoms he assumed it was an infection (pictured in 2015).
One of the most common symptoms of oropharyngeal cancers is a persistent or worsening sore throat. Patients may also experience ear pain due to the connections between the nerves from the throat to the ear. Difficulty swallowing, a visible lump, a change in voice, or a lump in the neck are also signs of the disease.
He said he was sitting in the waiting room with his son Elliot, 26, who is also a comedian, where he told him: “I just want a win.” I feel like a football team that is nine games into the season and hasn’t won a single time. Every meeting, every exploration, always gets a little worse.’
He then revealed that when his doctor told him the cancer had not spread to his lungs, Elliot shouted, “There’s your first win of the season!”
Mark added: “The majority of cancers are now considered curable. Even those that are not curable are treatable and patients live many years. My generation grew up thinking that cancer was as final as decapitation, but that is no longer true. “If it’s cancer, there will be a plan to address it.”
He went on to praise the NHS, from scientists to doctors, cleaners and campaigners, for helping ensure he could survive an illness that would once have been fatal.
Mark said his treatment would begin soon and it is estimated he will be able to perform again in six months.
Remaining bravely optimistic, he concluded: ‘I have cancer, but it is a cancer we can get rid of. I feel like there is a leopard in my house, which is locked in a room.
“I contacted the leopard authorities and they assured me that they are used to dealing with leopards like this, and that they have a plan to eliminate the leopard, although it will take a while, and from time to time I can hear it growling. And that’s all very soothing.
Mark said his treatment would begin soon and it is estimated he will be able to perform again in six months (pictured in The Chase in 2022).
“Still, several times a day I think, ‘Wait, there’s a fucking leopard in my house.’
In addition to performing stand-up comedy, Mark has written several radio and television shows, as well as several books.
He has also appeared frequently on Have I Got News For You, Room 101, Mock the Week, The Graham Norton Show and Question Time.
He was due to perform in Norwich on Tuesday as part of his tour which was due to continue to Peterborough in April 2024, but all his shows have now been postponed.