Coronation Street is to explore the reality of male breast cancer as Kit Green (Jacob Roberts) faces a shocking diagnosis.
His discovery comes after the family are made aware that they may carry the familial BRCA gene following the passing of estranged Aunt Celeste who leaves behind the devastating family secret.
But as mum Bernie (Jane Hazelgrove) and half sister Gemma (Dolly Rose Campbell) face testing, unbeknownst to them and the viewers, Kit has already been seeking medical help after concerns over his health.
With breast cancer not initially on his radar, Kit is floored to hear he has stage 3 breast cancer, posing a very serious threat to his life. Something almost 500 men in the UK face every year.
Although male breast cancer is real, it is rare, and as it accounts for less than 1% of all breast cancer cases, many men do not realize they can get it, which leads to embarrassment, delayed diagnoses, and higher mortality rates.
The Coronation Street production team are working closely with Macmillan Cancer Support and Breast Cancer Now to accurately portray Kit’s cancer while raising awareness to the very real risks of the illness amongst men.
In this new ITV Promo, released today, we see a nervous Kit attending hospital to get his results.
In scenes to be aired in September we’ll then follow Kit’s journey from diagnosis, to denial, to treatment and family relationships as he struggles to deal with the life changing news and what it means for him as a man.
On learning of the storyline Jacob Roberts who plays Kit said: “I genuinely didn’t know that men could get breast cancer and I felt, to make it authentic, that Kit shouldn't know that men can get breast cancer either. Speaking to the charities and male survivors has been really insightful, lots of men don't know they can get this and for Kit it’s that utter disbelief of how can this be? Not only for his age, but how can I have this as a bloke and who else in the family could be affected.”
Carrying a familial BRCA (Breast Cancer) gene mutation means inheriting a harmful change in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes from a parent, which significantly raises your lifetime risk of developing certain cancers.
As both Kit and Bernie’s family explore this we’ll see the overwhelming impact the news can have on those affected and the different coping mechanisms people adopt as they face an uncertain future.
Coronation Street Producer Kate Brooks explains: "This diagnosis absolutely shakes the foundations of Kit's life as he struggles to digest what this means not only for him, but also for his family and loved ones. Kit's a complex character, and he struggles as he navigates this new world he's been thrust into. His vulnerabilities become all too apparent as he wrestles with what this means to his sense of identity. Whilst male breast cancer is rare, it's important that we show it can happen to anyone. We must normalize conversations around this to encourage people to consult their GP at the earliest opportunity if any changes arise."
Dany Bell, Cancer Care Strategic Adviser for Macmillan Cancer Support, helped shape the script for Kit’s storyline and said:
"The team at Coronation Street has worked tirelessly to represent breast cancer in men accurately and responsibly and Macmillan is proud to have partnered with ITV on this story.
"I know many people diagnosed with cancer will be able to relate with Kit’s feelings of shock and anxiety. Going through cancer can be one of the toughest challenges many people will ever face, but this storyline reminds us that no one has to go through cancer alone. Along with Kit being surrounded by caring family and friends, Macmillan is also there to support everyone affected by cancer. Talking about cancer matters and through the support of Macmillan healthcare professionals and services like our Support Line, Online Community and Buddies, we help people like Kit feel less alone.
“We hope that this story will help show that nobody facing cancer in the UK has to struggle in silence. We’re here for everyone affected by cancer, whoever or wherever they are."
On working with the show Sally Kum, associate director of nursing and health information at Breast Cancer Now added: “Kit’s story serves as a powerful reminder that breast cancer can happen to anyone. Male breast cancer is very rare, but raising awareness and normalising conversations around the disease is crucial, to encourage men to check their chest regularly and see their GP if they notice new or unusual changes. While most changes won’t be cancer, the earlier it’s diagnosed, the better the chances of treating it successfully.
“We’ve drawn on our insights and extensive expertise supporting people affected by breast cancer to help guide this storyline and ensure that it’s portrayed authentically, particularly some of the complexities around family history and how Kit may navigate the impacts of his diagnosis and treatment. Information and support is out there for anyone affected by Kit’s experiences – no-one should feel they have to face breast cancer alone.”
Glenda Young
Bestselling novelist published by Headline
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