Popular TV Chef Says Skin Cancer Diagnosis Was Among 'Most Difficult' Periods in His Life – How To Cope With Sudden Cancer Diagnosis

Famous TV Chef James Martin, 51, is shedding light on an emotional period in his life that was capped off with a cancer diagnosis. Although he was diagnosed in 2018, the popular chef is still dealing with it today, he recently revealed amid an impassioned rant.

Martin has graced British TV screens for more than two decades for cooking shows including BBC's "Good Food" program.

Madrid 2023! A new Spanish adventure is coming to @ITV soon! pic.twitter.com/dK3IYzjfVV

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James Martin (@jamesmartinchef) June 3, 2023

He's developed a loyal following over the years. However, details of some personal challenges he's dealt with emerged amid a recent on-air rant.

The flurry of words wrought with foul language from the chef came about after leaked audio suggested he engaged in "bullying and intimidating behavior" according to reporting by U.K.-based news outlets "The Sun" and Lancs Live.

Since issuing an apology for his on-air rant, Martin said he was overwhelmed with emotion because he was dealing with a slew of personal issues, including cancer that he is still battling. He said it was "one of the most fraught and difficult periods of my life."

"On top of this I was then diagnosed with cancer on my face, and I had to have surgery, which I couldn't do until two days before Christmas when we had finished filming," Martin said.

In the kitchen with @jamesmartinchef @JamesMartinMCR pic.twitter.com/DUqEkb7vP6

Carl Sukonik (@thevainphotos) March 22, 2023

"Since then, it has returned on several occasions and I have to have regular treatments," he continued.

Although we know Martin is dealing with skin cancer, we do not know the type of skin cancer he's been diagnosed with. The main types of skin cancer include basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.

In melanoma skin cancer cases, it is more likely to impact nearby tissue and spread or metastasize to other parts of the body. Melanoma also causes the most skin cancer deaths according to the National Cancer Institute.

Understanding Melanomas

Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer because of its likelihood to spread to other parts of the body. It starts in the same cells that give your skin, hair, and eyes their color. In melanoma, the cells change in a way that makes them able to spread to other organs.

 

Oncologist Dr. Anna Pavlic explains who may be at a higher risk for melanoma. 

Changes to a mole you've had for a while or a new growth on your skin could be signs of melanoma, according to SurvivorNet's experts. You'll want to keep an eye on them and let your doctor know about any changes you notice.

You're most likely to find melanoma on sun-exposed areas of skin, like your face, neck, arms, and legs. Surprisingly, you might also find them in other places as well, like:

• The palms of your hands or soles of your feet
• On your eyes or mouth
• Under your nails

SurvivorNet skin cancer experts recommend avoiding unprotected sun exposure because ultraviolet (UV) radiation can lead to melanoma. Tanning beds pose ultraviolet radiation risks for skin cancer and should be avoided. Many dermatologists recommend using spray tans to reduce the risk of melanoma skin cancer.

The most important thing to look out for when it comes to finding melanoma is a new spot on your skin or a spot that is changing in size, shape, or color, SurvivorNet's medical experts say.

When you check your skin, use the acronym ABCDE as your guide:

• Asymmetrical moles: If you drew a line straight down the center of the mole, would the sides match?
• Borders: Is the mole irregular or jagged?
• Colors: Are there multiple distinct colors in the mole?
• Diameter: Is the mole larger than 6 millimeters (mm), about the size of a pencil head eraser?
• Evolution: Has the mole's color, shape, or size changed over time?

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, our experts say it's time to see your dermatologist for a skin check.

Dermatologist Dr. Cecilia Larocca explains the ABCDE method for checking your skin.

Coping With a Diagnosis

While Martin's emotional rant was jarring for some, it is understandable since cancer is so stressful.

Psychiatrist Dr. Lori Plutchik tells SurvivorNet that cancer patients' emotions can range from anger to sadness and fear in a short span of time.

"The patient or person going through the stressful event should accept that emotions will be fluid. You may feel fine one day and then feel a massive wave of stress the next. It's also important for those you look to for support whether that's a therapist, friends, and family, or both to understand the fluidity of stress-related emotions," Dr. Plutchik said.

If you are coping with a stressful diagnosis, SurvivorNet recommends checking in on your mental health. Your mindset impacts your ability to cope, and the added stress may require the assistance of a mental health professional. This could mean traditional talk therapy, medication, changing lifestyle habits (like exercise and diet), seeking out a support group, or many other approaches.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

If you are diagnosed with skin cancer, you may have some questions for your doctor. SurvivorNet suggests some of the following to help you on your cancer journey.

• What type of skin cancer do I have?
• What treatment options exist for this type of cancer?
• Will this treatment be covered by insurance?
• Would treatment through a clinical trial make sense to me?
• What resources exist to help manage my anxiety because of this diagnosis?

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

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