Katherine Ryan shares double heartache as she announces cancer diagnosis

The star was diagnosed with cancer in tandem with her family long after doctors kept telling her nothing was wrong, according to comedian Katherine Ryan, who revealed that she and her family have been through a heartbreaking private struggle.

Katherine Ryan is known for always bringing a smile to people’s faces, but she recently got real and revealed she’s dealing with a lot behind the scenes. The comedian shared that she’s juggling her own health crisis with a family member being severely ill – and shared the overriding message of looking after each other and advocating for your own health.

During a recent episode of her podcast Telling Everybody, Katherine, 41, explained that she’d been struggling with a family member being ill.

“We’re all navigating a family illness right now in our extended family, and things just happen,” she said. She said, “I have never and never will take my life for granted.”

The most recent episode of the podcast delivered even more bad news, as the Would I Lie To You? star revealed that alongside navigating the family issue, she’s personally battling skin cancer after being diagnosed with melanoma.

Katherine detailed her full journey towards diagnosis, after first becoming concerned in 2022 – and made it clear that had she not stood up for herself the problem may not have been identified. This is also the Canadian actress’ second diagnosis with melanoma, after first encountering the issue in her early 20s.

Katherine explained that she noticed a mole on her arm and got it checked by a medical professional who said nothing was wrong, but she was still “really worried” and felt that something was off.

She continued, “The mole kept changing, I know a lot about melanoma, I had stage two melanoma on my leg, and I’ve spoken about that before,” noting her decision to accept the situation completely and “walk away.”

Even that didn’t traditionally resemble melanoma. However, it did have some asymmetry and discoloration, fair enough. It had a melanoma, but it wasn’t that big. It was flat. It has a deadly skin cancer and quickly spreads.

Katherine said she wanted the doctor to remove a larger piece of it and stitch it up in a straight line despite the fact that her doctor had told her it was fine because she felt otherwise.

She continued, “But even when he looked at it, he said, “I will do a shave and send it away for testing,” “It’s not melanoma, it’s totally fine.” “She was later called back with the confirmation that it was melanoma after the doctor had once more assured Katherine that it was undoubtedly nothing.”

She stated on the podcast that she was still in the early stages of sorting the problem. The doctor was shocked because it doesn’t look like melanoma but it is, “she said,” and it’s early melanoma. I don’t have time on Monday, but he told me, “You need to come back on Monday,” so luckily he gave me some time in the afternoon.

Katherine then considered what the situation might have turned out to be if she had kept quiet and bottled up her worries and encouraged others to follow her lead and trust their instincts.

“It’s crazy what could have happened if I didn’t continue to be my own advocate and I will continue to be my own advocate…” the mother of three considered.

“I would have had melanoma just growing and spreading on my arm if I hadn’t pushed, taken that good answer the first time, and then walked away.”

Source: Mirror