Billy Wright - thyroid cancer

When I noticed a lump in my neck, I ignored it for more than 12 months. I had suffered from swollen glands and sore throats as a child and thought the swelling was down to this.

At the time my symptoms appeared I was really busy. I had been cast into the spotlight after competing in Masterchef and was setting up my business with fellow finalist Jack Layer. I think my reluctance to seek medical help was probably due to a typical ‘British stiff upper lip’ approach to my health. I think this attitude is quite common in men.

A year after the lump first appeared, I then developed a persistent cough. It was only then that I went for a checkup. Doctors originally thought I may have pneumonia but an ultrasound scan revealed I had two cancerous tumours in his neck. 

I received my diagnosis of thyroid cancer with a mixture of emotions. Firstly, it was one of relief as I had been through five weeks of testing for Lymphoma, which is much harder to treat. Next came the realisation I had to deal with a cancer I knew absolutely nothing about.

I then had my thyroid removed during a lengthy operation at New Victoria Hospital in Kingston. This was followed up by radioactive iodine therapy (RAI ablation) at the Royal Marsden Hospital in Surrey. Due to the radioactivity this treatment takes place in an isolated room to prevent the radioactivity adversely affecting others with a healthy thyroid. I found this period of physical isolation one of the most challenging aspects of his treatment. The room had a stable door, so people could visit for a short amount of time, but I wasn’t able to really go near anyone for days. It was pretty intense.