The Pitt guest star Moshe Kasher has revealed he has tonsil cancer, after noticing a lump around three months ago.
Kasher, who appeared on the HBO medical drama earlier this year as ASL interpreter Jacob Samuel, shared the update on Instagram on Father’s Day, posting a photo of himself in a hospital gown and telling followers about what he called the ‘lousy news’.
“Three months ago … I found a bump on my tonsil,” he posted on Sunday. “It was cancer, which did not rule so hard.”
Kasher said he first became aware of the lump while filming the upcoming comedy The Comeback King. The 2027 movie features Glen Powell, Madelyn Cline, Cristin Milioti and Kumail Nanjiani, with Judd Apatow directing.
He also explained that he had surgery last week and described the operation in his trademark darkly comic style.
‘a Jewish surgery robot at Cedars Sinai yanked my jaw open for five hours and cut it out and then slit my throat and dissected my neck, leaving me with a hardcore neck scar which will make people reluctant to street fight me’
After joking about the scar, Kasher opened up about how overwhelming the experience has been.
‘the most terrifying and consciousness consuming experience of my life’
“My life has been terror, meditation, tears, and medical planning (oh and 12 hour days on set pitching jokes).”
He also praised Apatow for helping him continue working through such a difficult period.
“I truly cannot believe I managed to work an entire movie while dealing with this, but Judd could not have been a more kind, supportive, and nurturing friend all while on the verge of a five hour energy overdose from his terrifying habit.”
Kasher noted that his father died from throat cancer, and he used his post to remind people that some tonsil cancers are linked to Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Tonsil cancer is one of the head and neck cancers that can be caused by high-risk HPV, and it can also be associated with smoking and heavy alcohol use. He urged followers to get any concerns checked by a doctor.
Mayo Clinic explains the connection between tonsil cancer and HPV as follows:
“For many tonsil cancers, human papillomavirus is thought to have a part. Human papillomavirus, also called HPV, is a common virus that’s passed through sexual contact. For most people, HPV doesn’t cause any problems.
“For others, it causes changes in the cells that may one day lead to cancer. Tonsil cancer caused by HPV tends to occur at a younger age and is more likely to respond well to available treatments.”
Other recognised risk factors include smoking and alcohol consumption.
Kasher also reassured fans that he believes he ‘will get better’ and said he expects to learn in the next few days whether radiation treatment will be necessary. Treatment for tonsil cancer can include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and, in some cases, clinical trials if the cancer is HPV-related.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact the American Cancer Society on 1-800-227-2345 or via their live chat feature, available 24/7 every day of the year.