‘How lucky was I to get the one that is basically curable?’ Comedian Richard Herring, 53, reveals he has undergone surgery for testicular cancer and has now been given the all-clear
- The Taskmaster star took to his Warming Up blog to detail his health journey after undergoing the surgery at Lister Hospital in Stevenage on February 24th
- He penned: ‘How unlucky was I to get a rare cancer without exhibiting any of the usual causes? But then how lucky was I to get the one that is basically curable?’
- Richard explained that the cancer, which has a 99% survival rate, had not spread, meaning he has been given the all-clear due to the containment
- Cancer of the testicle is one of the less common cancers, and tends to mostly affect men between 15 and 49 years of age
- For help and support contact Macmillan Cancer support for free on 0808 239 75 65 or chat to a specialist online via the website
Comedian Richard Herring has revealed he has undergone surgery to remove his testicle after being diagnosed with cancer last month.
The Taskmaster star, 53, took to his Warming Up blog to detail his health journey after undergoing the surgery at Lister Hospital in Stevenage on February 24th.
He penned: ‘How unlucky was I to get a fairly rare cancer without exhibiting any of the usual causes? But then how lucky was I to get the one that is basically curable?’
Richard explained that the cancer, which has a 99% survival rate, had not spread from his testicle, meaning he has been given the all-clear due to the containment.
Relieved: Comedian Richard Herring has revealed he has undergone surgery to remove his testicle after being diagnosed with cancer last month (pictured on Taskmaster last year)
Cancer of the testicle is one of the less common cancers, and tends to mostly affect men between 15 and 49 years of age. Typical symptoms are a painless swelling or lump in 1 of the testicles, or any change in shape or texture of the testicles.
Richard underwent the surgery before doctors had diagnosed cancer, as he explained they would need to remove the testicle for analysis.
In first announcing the news, he penned: ‘RIP my right b***ock. July 12th 1967 to February 24th 2021. Age shall not wither him (he was quite withered already, at least until the last few weeks). He shall be missed.’
He lauded the NHS treatment, writing: ‘I was glad that everything was double and triple checked and once again the NHS staff were exemplary and funny and friendly…
Speaking out: The Taskmaster star, 53, took to his Warming Up blog to detail his health journey after undergoing the surgery at Lister Hospital in Stevenage on February 24th (pictured in 2017)
‘I never thought I would be grateful to a load of people who were intent on turning me into a demi-eunuch. But I really was. The anaesthetist came in and said I had the choice between general and spinal anaesthetic…
‘But they still don’t know what the issue is (this might not be cancer, which would be great, but don’t think they can pop it back in if it isn’t) and so they need to take my gonad away for analysis’.
He later confirmed that the result was cancer but that he had been lucky.
Richard wrote: ‘Though cancer sounds like bad news, apart from that bit it’s pretty much all good news. The bad stuff was all safely ensconced inside my ball like the hazelnut in the middle of a Ferrero Rocher…
Opening up: He penned: ‘How unlucky was I to get a fairly rare cancer without exhibiting any of the usual causes? But then how lucky was I to get the one that is basically curable?’ (pictured in 2012)
‘(I am not going to promise my wife a pyramid of exponential b***ocks) and has not spread, so it’s all out. Testicular cancer has a 99% survival rate (I wish someone had told me this right at the start)…
‘You can increase that to practically 100% if you wish by having one shot of chemo (which stops it coming back in your nodes) and obviously the fantastic NHS will be keeping an eye on me from now on…
‘The doctor on the phone was extremely positive and reassuring. I am going to see an oncologist next week to discuss my options, but essentially it seems that I should be around for a good while yet.’
Richard recently hit screens starring on Taskmaster and is best known for his hit podcast Richard Herring’s Leicester Square Theatre Podcast.
He is also a well-known philanthropist and raises money for Refuge through his International Men’s Day campaign every year.