YouTube star Hank Green reveals cancer diagnosis – National
Hank Green has announced that he has been diagnosed with cancer.
In a 13-minute video shared on his YouTube channel on Friday morning, the New York Times bestselling author and science vlogger revealed his diagnosis of lymphoma.
“I noticed that my lymph nodes were big,” he said, recalling his first noticeable symptom, adding that the doctor wasn’t too worried but decided to send him for an ultrasound.
“The technician in the ultrasound room was like, ‘I’m going to get a doctor,'” he explained with a laugh. “That’s not what you want to happen,” he added.
“It seems likely that we caught mine early. I’m still waiting for a scan to sort of confirm that,” said Green, 43, adding that he would start chemotherapy the moment the video was uploaded. In the description of the video, he shared that a PET/CT scan showed the cancer hasn’t spread – very good news when it comes to a cancer diagnosis.
Using his trademark good humor, while keeping things very candid, Green shared with viewers his faith in proven medical treatments, the science of lymphoma, and the “good news, bad news” of his diagnosis.
“It’s something called Hodgkin’s lymphoma, as one of the most treatable cancers. He is responding very well to treatment,” he said.
According to the Canadian Cancer Society, the five-year net survival for patients with Hodgkin lymphoma is 85%, which means that on average, 85% of people diagnosed with the cancer will survive for at least five years. However, the organization notes that survival of Hodgkin’s lymphoma is affected by the size of the tumor, the absence of symptoms that affect the whole body (known as “B symptoms”), as well as the early diagnosis of the cancer.
Green and her brother John, a young adult author, rose to internet fame through their shared YouTube channel, vlogbrothers. They have also collaborated on other popular projects, including the podcast Dear Hank and John and a YouTube channel called Crash Course.
Green has also gained popularity through his educational videos on Instagram and TikTok, where he shares accessible, easy-to-digest explanations of some of the world’s most complex science questions.
Developing cancer was always something he was aware of, Green said in the video, sharing that he had several risk factors for the disease, including certain medications he took, an autoimmune disease and a childhood mononucleosis.
He also took time in the video to establish boundaries with his audience, explaining that while he appreciates the support and love of his viewers, he’s not ready to speak publicly about how the diagnosis is affecting him. his personal life.
He also made it clear that he is not interested in hearing about alternative cancer treatments, saying he has full confidence in his medical team and the protocols that have been developed through years of medical testing and science. .
Green also explained that he might not feel ready to create as much content as he usually does, asking to understand if he chooses to cut back for a while and focus on his treatments and his recovery.
“I’m a very driven person and I take obligations, as if I take them very seriously, and they weigh on me a lot and cause a lot of stress when there’s a space between what I feel and should be doing and what I feel capable of doing and what I’m capable of doing,” he said, noting that he hopes his fans will be “ok with him doing stuff” when he feels up to it.
“I play it by ear,” he said in the video. “I know I’m going to feel like trash, like it’s going to be really unpleasant.”
John shared the news on his own Twitter page, writing, “Some important news from Hank. My little brother is my closest collaborator, my oldest friend and my absolute hero. Thank you for loving him like me and supporting us – and each other – through a difficult time.
Fans responded to the news with an avalanche of support, echoing the kindness the Green brothers have become known for.
Green said that while he doesn’t accept unsolicited medical advice, he wants to hear suggestions for TV shows, movies and light video games to distract him.
“Like, no emotion… really stupid things that won’t make you cry, that won’t make anyone cry.”
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