A Survivor fan favorite has revealed he has cancer after initially brushing off a series of disturbing symptoms.
Ken McNickle, 43, who finished as runner-up on season 33 of the hit reality competition, shared the emotional diagnosis with fans in a candid Instagram post on Tuesday.
‘So here we go … I deliberated for a while about whether to share or not but I ultimately decided to because I’m hoping this chapter in my story can help others,’ McNickle wrote.
The father-of-two admitted he had made mistakes when it came to his health and wished he had sought medical attention sooner.
‘I’ve made some mistakes in the process and should have taken care of myself better and sooner. But, here we are,’ he added.
McNickle did not disclose what type of cancer he has been diagnosed with or provide details about his treatment, but vowed to face the battle with optimism and the support of his family.
Ken McNickle, who finished as runner-up on season 33 of the hit reality competition Survivor, shared the emotional diagnosis with fans in a candid Instagram post on Tuesday
McNickle rose to fame on Survivor’s 33rd season, Millennials vs Gen X, which aired in 2016
Alongside the announcement, McNickle shared a series of photos taken during doctor’s visits, including images showing white medical patches attached to his chest.
The reality star also opened up about the emotional toll of his diagnosis, admitting he sometimes feels like giving up.
‘Because there’s always a choice,’ he wrote. ‘And I’m choosing optimism, health, happiness, and the knowing that the spirit has me. And most importantly, I’m choosing love.’
He concluded with a message urging others not to ignore potential warning signs.
‘If you have a health concern, don’t sit on it. Get yourself checked. There’s no valid reason not to. Not one,’ he wrote.
McNickle rose to fame on Survivor’s 33rd season, Millennials vs Gen X, which aired in 2016.
He made it all the way to the final three before ultimately finishing in second place behind Adam Klein, with fellow finalist Hannah Shapiro also falling short of the title.
Klein was among the many supporters who flooded the comments section with messages of encouragement.
The father-of-two admitted he had made mistakes when it came to his health and wished he had sought medical attention sooner
‘I waited almost a year until my skin was tearing open to get this checked,’ he said, adding, ‘Had I gone in sooner, it would have been a simple procedure – not a three-inch hole in my chest’
‘I’m deeply sorry Ken that you have to go through this. You are a strong, resilient person and cancer f***ed with the wrong guy,’ Klein wrote. ‘You got this. Sending healing energy.’
In a follow-up video, McNickle revealed the alarming symptoms he had ignored for months before finally seeking medical attention.
‘I waited almost a year until my skin was tearing open to get this checked,’ he said. ‘Had I gone in sooner, it would have been a simple procedure – not a three-inch hole in my chest.’
The former Survivor star also admitted he delayed seeking help despite experiencing blood in his stool for nearly three months.
‘I waited until that lump on my testes had grown to the size of the other two before getting it checked,’ he added.
Reflecting on why he postponed treatment, McNickle pointed to messages he absorbed growing up about masculinity and toughness.
‘I heard the words, “Stop crying. Don’t be a baby. Don’t be a bitch. Don’t be a pussy. Just be a man,”‘ he said. ‘And yeah, I am thinking that had something to do with it.’
He ended his message with a broader call for men to take their health concerns seriously, arguing that more attention needs to be paid to the reluctance many men feel about seeking both physical and mental healthcare.
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