Rhod Gilbert discovered he had stage four cancer after battling common illness

Rhod Gilbert's early symptoms included a persistent cough and struggles with swallowing, before a biopsy determined he had stage four head and neck cancer in 2022.

Rhod Gilbert has urged anyone experiencing an unusual change to their health to get checked out as soon as possible, if the symptoms persist.

Back in 2022, the comedian was told he had stage four head and neck cancer, but thankfully received the all-clear last year following "brutal" but "wonderful" treatment at Cardiff's Velindre Cancer Centre.

Rhod's health ordeal began with various symptoms such as; a sore throat, a persistent cough, struggles with swallowing and, at times, choking.

Sore throats and coughs are particularly prevalent during winter months and are symptoms of a number of bugs.

When tests didn't reveal anything unusual at the time, doctors suggested the symptoms may have been down to the extensive use of his voice as a comedian.

Covid was also a possibility, until he noticed a lump on his neck which led to a biopsy and determined the cause.

"Luckily that lump popped up," he shared. "If that lump hadn't have popped up, I don't know what would've happened, I would dread to think."

Now back in good health and on the road with his Rhod Gilbert & the Giant Grapefruit tour, the 56-year-old has reflected on how such symptoms could be mistaken as a common illness.

"I think that one of the problems we've got is some cancers don't have any symptoms. With some of them, the symptoms could well be something else and they're more likely to be something else.

"If you've got a cough, that doesn't mean you've got cancer, it means you've got a cough or you've got Covid or whatever, it could be anything."

In a warning to others, he added: "The problem with coughs as well, you hear about this 100-day cough, but I think the general rule is if anything persists and doesn't go away, if it won't go away after a few weeks, then get it checked out.

"Don't panic and make sure you can do anything you can to get it checked out."

On his current state, Rhod said aside from some minor problems, he counts himself as one of the lucky ones to have overcome his ordeal.

"My treatment was wonderful, and I was given the all clear in May 2023. I am currently all clear and now having ENT camera checks every 6 months," he shared.

On being back on the stage, Rhod added: "I feel great, my energy levels are good and I'm just really happy to be up there. I can't believe really quite how well I feel, I've got problems in my neck, throat area and my mouth area, but other than that, I feel great."

According to the NHS, head and neck cancer is a relatively uncommon type of cancer, with around 12,400 new cases diagnosed in the UK each year.

There are over 30 areas within the head and neck where cancer can develop, including;

• Mouth and lips
• Voice box (larynx)
• Throat (pharynx)
• Salivary glands
• Nose and sinuses
• Area at the back of the nose and mouth (nasopharynx)

The National Cancer Institute also states that head and neck cancer symptoms may include; a lump in the neck or a sore in the mouth or the throat that does not heal and may be painful, a sore throat that does not go away, difficulty in swallowing, and a change or hoarseness in the voice.

These symptoms may also be caused by other, less serious conditions, however it's important to get them checked out if they persist.

Rhod is currently playing over 130 dates at venues across the UK and Ireland, running until November 2025. Tickets and tour dates can be found here.