DJ Jamie Theakston has recently revealed that he has been diagnosed with stage one laryngeal cancer. The 53-year-old announced on Instagram that he had a lesion removed from his vocal cords, which was identified as stage 1 laryngeal cancer. Despite the diagnosis, Theakston remains optimistic about his prognosis and aims to return to work in October. He has been advised to rest his voice and has expressed gratitude to his colleagues for their support during his absence.
Laryngeal cancer affects the larynx, commonly known as the voice box. Symptoms of this type of cancer include changes in voice, difficulty swallowing, neck swelling, persistent cough, sore throat, and in severe cases, breathing difficulties. It’s worth noting that laryngeal cancer is more prevalent in individuals over the age of 60, with a higher incidence in men than in women. In the UK, there are over 2,000 new cases of laryngeal cancer reported annually.
Earlier, Theakston sought medical advice after some of his listeners noticed changes in his voice. He then confirmed that a lesion on his vocal cords was the cause and thanked his audience for their concern and support. Theakston’s career spans several notable roles in broadcasting, including presenting Live & Kicking and hosting Top of the Pops, before joining Heart FM in 2005.