Stephen Fry Opens Up About Secret Cancer Battle

The English comedian just shared some heartbreaking news with his fans.

On Friday, Feb. 23, 2018, Stephen Fry posted a video on his website, announcing that he'd experienced a serious health scare. In the video, the 60-year-old reveals that he'd visited his doctor for a flu shot shortly before Christmas 2018. During his appointment, Fry said his longtime doctor gave him a wellness check-up. The next day his doctor called him and revealed that he was worried about Fry's PSA, or prostate-specific antigen, test results, as they were apparently a little high. So, as a precaution, Fry got an MRI. Unfortunately, the results yielded something "mischievous."

Fry then had a biopsy, which, sadly, confirmed that he had prostate cancer.

Following additional tests, Fry made the decision to remove his prostate and 11 lymph nodes in early January 2018. Following the operation, he learned that his cancer had a Gleason score — a way determining a cancer's aggressiveness — of nine, which was higher than previously thought. Considering that the highest Gleason score is ten, Fry's cancer was clearly severe.

Since then, Fry, who likened the surgery to "being stabbed five times," has been in recovery.

Regarding his shocking diagnosis, Fry said, "I know it's an old cliché, but you don't think it's going to happen to you. Cancer is something that happens to other people." Fortunately, however, Fry appears to be in the clear — for now, at least. He'll still need to have additional tests performed to determine if his cancer had been contained and effectively removed.

"But for the moment, I'm fit and well and happy," shared Fry, who called himself "lucky." He also encouraged other men to have their PSA levels checked by their doctors, as early detection can be key.

"Here's hoping I get another few years left on this planet," he concluded, "because I enjoy life at the moment. That's a marvelous thing to be able to say, and I'd rather it didn't go away."