Broadcaster Adrian Chiles has publicly disclosed a diagnosis of skin cancer, following a procedure to remove a suspicious patch from his shoulder.
A Diagnosis After a Routine Check
The former host of The One Show and The Apprentice: You're Fired! detailed his experience in a column for The Guardian. He explained that he sought advice from a dermatologist after noticing an unusual area of skin. A subsequent biopsy confirmed the growth was squamous cell carcinoma, a common form of skin cancer caused by an excess of squamous cells in the epidermis.
Chiles reported that the affected tissue has now been completely removed. "All removed and won't spread," he stated, characterising the situation as "So not nothing, but not serious. Needs keeping an eye on."
Frustrations with Communication
The television and radio personality described feeling unsettled by aspects of his medical follow-up. He was initially told his results would arrive by post, a timeline he questioned given the potential seriousness. "I suggested that, if cancer was a possibility, then a bit of hurry-up might be called for," Chiles wrote.
He recounted the dermatologist's response: "Oh, it won't make any difference now. The only thing that would have made any difference was if you'd come sooner." Chiles found this logic contradictory, musing, "Time was either of the essence, or it wasn't."
When told he would later receive results via an app on 18 December, he proactively contacted a skin cancer nurse for a direct conversation, criticising the app for "masquerad[ing] as communication." He firmly believes that "Communication is either two-way or it's nothing."
Skin Cancer in the UK and Personal Health
Chiles's diagnosis highlights the prevalence of skin cancer across the United Kingdom. Medical data shows there are two primary types:
- Melanoma: The most dangerous form, with roughly 13,000 new cases diagnosed annually in the UK.
- Non-melanoma: Including squamous cell carcinoma, accounting for more than 100,000 new cases every year.
This is not the first time the ITV Sport football presenter has spoken candidly about his health. In 2018, he fronted the documentary Drinkers Like Me, where he discovered he was consuming up to 100 units of alcohol per week. A medical examination revealed signs of liver damage, prompting him to significantly reduce his intake.
Reflecting on past Christmases affected by heavy drinking, he said, "By four to five o'clock, I would be absolutely stuffed and all foggy with booze. I'd doze off in front of the telly – where's the enjoyment in that?" He now emphasises, "I can't stress how much more enjoyment I get out of it now for drinking less of it."
Chiles's experience serves as a reminder of the importance of monitoring skin changes and seeking prompt medical advice for any concerning signs.
