Kit Green (Jacob Roberts) has finally told DS Lisa Connor-Swain (Vicky Myers) about his cancer diagnosis in Coronation Street. The revelation came in the episode dated October 9, which aired on ITVX and YouTube before its ITV1 broadcast.
Following the death of a relative, Kit, Bernie Winter-Alahan (Jane Hazlegrove) and Gemma Winter-Brown (Dolly-Rose Campbell) discovered that the family carries a history of a BRCA (Breast Cancer) gene mutation. This increased the possibility that Kit, Bernie and Gemma had inherited a harmful change in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene, significantly raising the risk of developing certain cancers.
Kit's hospital visits and diagnosis
It was revealed that Kit had quietly been attending hospital appointments after noticing a lump in his breast and discharge. He was then told that he has stage three breast cancer.
Kit has found telling people about his diagnosis extremely difficult. After keeping things to himself for a while, he told his family and, in the episode, he turned his attention to telling his colleague Lisa.
During another trip to the hospital, Kit learnt more about his upcoming chemotherapy. He assumed that he’d be able to continue working around the appointments, believing the physical toll during the treatment wouldn’t be intense.
Lisa's reaction
When Kit arrived at work, Lisa ranted to him about ignoring phone calls. Kit didn’t argue back, but instead revealed that he has cancer.
In a quiet room, Lisa immediately reminded Kit of the support services available to him through work. These two detectives don’t always see eye to eye, but Lisa made it clear that she’d be there for him.
Emotional conversations aren’t exactly what these two colleagues are used to, so Lisa was pretty taken aback when Kit asked for a hug. Still, she got up to offer one, only for Kit to chuckle and reveal he wasn’t being serious. It was an awkward moment, but one that showed Lisa was willing to put their differences aside and support him when he needed it.
Corrie boss on the storyline
Corrie boss Kate Brooks previously said of the story: ‘This diagnosis absolutely shakes the foundations of Kit’s life as he struggles to digest what this means not only for him, but also for his family and loved ones.
‘Kit’s a complex character, and he struggles as he navigates this new world he’s been thrust into. His vulnerabilities become all too apparent as he wrestles with what this means to his sense of identity.
‘Whilst male breast cancer is rare, it’s important that we show it can happen to anyone. We must normalize conversations around this to encourage people to consult their GP at the earliest opportunity if any changes arise.’
