Survivor star Ken McNickle reveals cancer diagnosis at 43

Survivor fan-favourite Ken McNickle has revealed his cancer diagnosis in a heart-wrenching social media post, urging men to get themselves checked.

The 43-year-old shared online: “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.

“I’ve made some mistakes in the process and should have taken care of myself better and sooner.

“But, here we are ... As I’ve said before, if you have a health concern, don’t sit on it. Get yourself checked. There’s no valid reason not to. Not one.”

The young father did not disclose what type of cancer he had but reflected on the moment doctors broke the news to him saying, “everything became muted”.

“Then the flood of questions. Why now? What did I do to deserve this? Why didn’t I come in sooner? After everything else, now this?”

McKnickle admitted that initially the feeling of defeat crept in before he realised he had to fight for his 12-year-old daughter and partner.

The reality star vowed to battle his cancer with hope.

“There’s always a choice. And I’m choosing optimism, health, happiness and the knowing that the spirit has me. And most importantly I’m choosing love.”

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He shared the news alongside a series of photos of him during doctor’s visits with medical patches on his chest.

In a later post, he talked about the symptoms that pushed him to get checked out.

“I waited almost a year until my skin was tearing open to get this checked. Had I gone in sooner, it would have been a simple procedure,” McNickle explained. “Not a three-inch hole in my chest.”

Fans and co-stars alike flooded McKnickle’s post with supportive messages.

“I’m deeply sorry Ken that you have to go through this. You are a strong, resilient person and cancer fucked with the wrong guy. You got this. Sending healing energy,” Adam Klein, who won the season of Survivor that McNickle competed on, commented.

“You got this! There is always something beautiful. Behind every difficult situation,” one fan wrote.