Katherine Ryan, the comedian who has made audiences laugh with her sharp wit and Netflix’s The Duchess, is facing a serious challenge off-stage: a second diagnosis of skin cancer.
Ryan, a Canadian stand-up comedian who has become a staple on British television, first encountered skin cancer in 2004. At that time, she underwent surgery to remove a “golf ball-sized lump” from her thigh, a procedure that left a lasting impact.
In recent years, Ryan has gained international acclaim for her Netflix series The Duchess, where she plays a single mother navigating the complexities of life in London. However, behind the scenes, Ryan has been dealing with health concerns. Recently, she noticed a mole on her arm that didn’t seem right. Despite a doctor’s initial dismissal, she insisted on further testing. The results confirmed her fears: the mole was “early melanoma,” a form of skin cancer that can be deadly if not caught in time. Ryan is scheduled to undergo a follow-up procedure next week to ensure that all cancerous tissue has been removed.
Ryan credits Teddi Mellencamp, a star of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, for inspiring her to share her story. Mellencamp’s openness about her own skin cancer diagnosis encouraged Ryan to speak out and raise awareness.
In a heartfelt moment on her podcast, Ryan urged her audience to take their health seriously. “If you know about melanoma, you’ll know it is a deadly form of skin cancer. It does spread quickly, and I just felt like this mole wasn’t right,” she said. She emphasized the importance of making time for medical appointments, stating, “You have to make space in your day for these appointments.”
Ryan’s experience is a stark reminder that health should always come first. By sharing her story, she’s not only raising awareness but also encouraging others to take action. Here’s hoping for a swift recovery and many more laughs from this talented comedian.
source deadline
