Comedian Katherine Ryan has revealed that she has been diagnosed with skin cancer for a second time.
The Canadian-born entertainer shared the news on her podcast, explaining that doctors recently removed a cancerous mole from her arm.
While the initial procedure went well, she will undergo another operation next week to ensure all traces of cancer have been eliminated.
This diagnosis marks her second encounter with skin cancer, as she previously faced the disease two decades ago when she was a university student in Toronto. At that time, she underwent surgery to remove a lump the size of a golf ball from her thigh.
Ryan shared that her concerns about the mole were initially dismissed by a doctor, who assured her that it was not melanoma. However, after persistently monitoring the changes in the mole’s appearance, she insisted on further medical tests.
Eventually, lab results confirmed that the growth was, in fact, an early-stage melanoma, a serious and potentially deadly form of skin cancer.
The comedian emphasized the importance of self-advocacy when it comes to health, noting that her situation could have worsened if she had accepted the initial reassurances without pushing for further examination.
“If you know about melanoma, you’ll know it is a deadly form of skin cancer. It spreads quickly, and I just felt like something was not right with this mole,” she said on her Telling Everybody Everything podcast.
Despite her instincts, the doctor continued to dismiss her concerns during her visits, maintaining that the mole was harmless. She admitted that it would have been easy to accept the clean bill of health and move on, but the mole kept changing, which made her uneasy.
It was only after repeated insistence that the doctor agreed to remove part of the mole for testing.
To her dismay, the test results confirmed her worst fears—she had melanoma. When her doctor called with the results, he acknowledged that she had been right all along, though he reassured her that the cancer was caught very early.
While this reduced the likelihood that it had spread, the experience left Ryan shaken. She expressed her disbelief at what could have happened if she had not continued to push for further tests.
Reflecting on her journey, she urged her listeners to always advocate for themselves when dealing with medical concerns.
Ryan is a familiar face on UK television, regularly appearing on popular comedy programs such as Live at the Apollo, 8 Out of 10 Cats, and her own Netflix series, The Duchess. She revealed that she was reminded to return to the doctor after seeing Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Teddi Mellencamp openly discuss her own battle with melanoma.
Ryan credited Mellencamp’s transparency with prompting her to take her own concerns seriously. “God bless that woman for being so open about her journey,” she said, acknowledging how vital it is to raise awareness about the disease.
The comedian explained that she has always been cautious about sun exposure due to her naturally fair complexion. She makes a conscious effort to protect her skin by wearing sunscreen regularly and covering up when outdoors.
With over 100 moles on her body, Ryan has always been aware of the risks but is now questioning whether she should have more of them examined. The experience has reinforced her belief in the importance of routine skin checks and proactive healthcare.
She encouraged her listeners to prioritize their health, making time for medical appointments even when life gets busy.
Ryan’s diagnosis comes amid growing concerns over the rising number of melanoma cases in the UK. According to Cancer Research UK, the number of people diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer is expected to reach a record 20,800 cases in 2024.
This marks an increase from the previous annual average of 19,300 cases between 2020 and 2022. Experts attribute this rise to a combination of factors, including an ageing population and increased awareness of skin cancer symptoms, which has led to more people seeking medical attention for suspicious skin changes.
Melanoma, also known as malignant melanoma, is a particularly aggressive form of skin cancer that can spread to other organs if not caught early.
Though less common than non-melanoma skin cancers, it remains one of the most dangerous types. According to the British Skin Foundation, melanomas can develop from existing moles but are more likely to appear as new marks on the skin.
They can occur anywhere on the body, though men most commonly develop them on the back, while women are more likely to find them on their legs.
Given the severity of melanoma, experts urge people to monitor their skin regularly and consult a doctor if they notice any unusual changes.
