From Newsgroup: alt.tv.survivor

Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X runner-up Ken McNickle reveals cancer diagnosis

McNickle, who competed on season 33 of the CBS series, also revealed the symptoms that led him to seek medical attention.

By Shania Russell

June 4, 2026 12:06 p.m. ET

Former Survivor contestant Ken McNickle is sharing his cancer
diagnosis.
In a series of social media posts, he expressed regret over not
getting diagnosed sooner and urged followers to be proactive about their health.
McNickle played on season 33 of the CBS competition, which was
themed "Millennials vs. Gen X."

Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X runner-up Ken McNickle revealed on
Monday that he has been diagnosed with cancer.

In a series of social media posts, the reality TV alum got candid about
the symptoms he experienced in the lead-up to his diagnosis and
expressed regret over not seeking medical help sooner.

"So here we gorCa I deliberated for a while about whether to share or not
but I ultimately decided to because IrCOm hoping this chapter in my story
can help others," McNickle began his Instagram post. "IrCOve made some mistakes in the process and should have taken care of myself better and sooner. But, here we are."

He added, "As IrCOve said before, if you have a health concern, donrCOt sit
on it. Get yourself checked. ThererCOs no valid reason not to. Not one."

McNickle did not reveal what type of cancer he has nor did he discuss treatment plans. The post itself featured a photo of the Survivor alum
sitting in a doctor's office, wearing a serious expression.

"The moment when you hear the wordsrCa It's cancer. And everything becomes muted. The doctor sounding like the teacher from Charlie Brown. You
realize nothing is registering other than that one word," he wrote in
the caption.

He wrote that for him, this moment was followed by a "flood of
questions. Why now? What did I do to deserve this? Why didnrCOt I come in sooner. After everything else, now this?rCY

McNickle acknowledged that it was difficult coming to terms with this
new reality, recounting "the feeling of defeat" and "beginning of the
process of giving up."

But he noted that he has been able to overcome thanks to his loved ones.

"I think about my daughter and my lady and the life we want and how
thererCOs another option," he wrote. "Because thererCOs always a choice. IrCOm choosing optimism, health, happiness and knowing that the spirit has me.
And most importantly, IrCOm choosing love."

McNickle competed on season 33 of CBS' long-running reality show. That
season, which aired in 2016, pitted a group of millennials against a
group of Gen-Xers. A finalist for the millennials, he went all the way
to final tribal alongside Hannah Shapiro and Adam Klein, but ultimately
lost out to Klein who was a unanimous winner after earning all 10 jury
votes.

In a follow-up video posted on Wednesday, McNickle detailed the painful symptoms that led him to seek treatment while urging followers to be
proactive about their own health.

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

McNickle also recounted experiencing "blood fill [his] stool every
morning" and noticing a "lump on my testes" but said he still waited
months before seeking medical attention.

"I was wondering why so many times I have been so f---ing stupid. And
then it hit me, flashes from my childhood and adolescence where I heard
the words, 'Stop crying. DonrCOt be a baby. DonrCOt be a bitch. DonrCOt be a p---y. Just be a man,'" he said. "And yeah, I am thinking that had
something to do with it."

The post concluded with a call to action in the caption.

"ThererCOs an epidemic in regards to menrCOs health and werCOre not giving it enough attention," he wrote. "We need to be talking more about why men
are 50% less likely to go to a doctor for physical ailments and 60% less likely to get help with mental and emotional issues. Why do you think it
is? What needs to change?"

Source: https://ew.com/survivor-season-33-runner-up-ken-mcnickle-reveals-cancer-diagnosis-11990974
--
Brian
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2