Curt Schilling, a former MLB pitcher with the Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies, revealed his fight against throat cancer back in 2014.
Long-term use of smokeless tobacco was the primary cause attributed to the diagnosis, something Schilling has openly criticized and regretted.
Highlights
- Curt Schilling’s throat cancer diagnosis in 2014 led to intense treatments, with side effects like weight loss and voice changes impacting his life.
- Schilling achieved remission by 2015, crediting the teamwork of doctors and families for this fast recovery.
- Schilling is in cancer-free condition in 2024 while still raising awareness about tobacco-related threats to health.
He is now in remission and is active in cancer awareness and smoking cessation, using his platform to educate people on the threats of tobacco-induced cancers.
His journey with cancer shows how difficult the treatment of cancer is and the impact one’s preventive health choices can leave a lifetime.
Curt Schilling Had A Cancer Diagnosis In 2014, Which Took A Toll On Him Mentally And Physically
Schilling’s diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma, a type of throat cancer, came to light in 2014 after he had experienced symptoms that led him to seek medical attention.
In interviews, he shared the daunting process of battling cancer, emphasizing the toll that chemotherapy and radiation treatments took on his body.
He said,
“I got chemo and radiation for [seven] weeks, and I came back to my room and my family was sitting there and I thought, ‘You know what, this could be so much worse.
This could be one of my kids,'” he said,
“I’m the one guy in this family that can handle this. From that perspective, I’ve never said ‘Why me?’ and I never will.”
You leave for the park and you focus on your job, period. You leave the park and you focus on your job as a husband. You don't give yourself options, you just do it. Head down and focus. Had to endure this when Shonda was diagnosed with Cancer on day 1 of Spring Training 2001.…
— Curt Schilling (@gehrig38) June 26, 2023
Moreover, Schilling’s treatment process was intense, with radiation causing significant physical side effects, including severe weight loss and changes to his voice.
Schilling has also stated that he did to his own body by stating,
I did this to myself by dipping for 30 years
Schilling’s commitment to recovery was unwavering. By 2015, he announced that he was in remission, crediting his healthcare team and family support for helping him through the ordeal.
His recovery was filled with difficult and grueling physical and emotional challenges, which Schilling now uses as a history lesson to warn others of the dangers of tobacco products.
His diagnosis was transformational in changing his outlook on health.
Nonetheless, Schilling continues to speak publicly about the importance of early diagnosis and smokeless tobacco cessation practices.
Ads Of 2024, Curt Schilling Is Cancer Free And Spreads Awareness About The Use Of Tabocco
In 2024, Schilling now remains cancer-free; however, the experience has left lasting physical effects.
Additionally, Schilling has persisted with some residual effects from treatment that altered his voice and has troubled with a measure, causing him some stress.
Curt Schilling revealed yesterday on his podcast that Tim Wakefield has been diagnosed with brain cancer, we send our thoughts and prayers to Wake and his family, we’re certain that he will beat it. pic.twitter.com/Ue92PghMAB
— Boston Strong (@BostonStrong_34) September 28, 2023
Nevertheless, Schilling is dedicated to using his experience to benefit others by making them aware of long-term tobacco use.
Recently, he has expressed his support for Tim Wakefield, a former Red Sox teammate also facing cancer stating that,
He highlights his empathy for those in similar situations and understands the shared struggle among cancer survivors
Moreover, Schilling’s battle with cancer overlapped with layoffs at ESPN, where he worked as an analyst.
This further threw him into an emotional and psychological spiral.
However, The experience has driven him to become a whistle-blower himself on behalf of others, exposing the risk of tobacco products and offering other people in need to get themselves help over issues with lifestyle-related health conditions.
Additional Infomation
- Curtis Montague Schilling’s net worth is estimated to be approximately $1 million from his successful profession.HHHQ
- Curtis Montague Schilling was born in Alaska, USA on November 14, 1966.
- Schilling played for Shadow Mountain High School in Phoenix, Arizona, before attending Yavapai College in Prescott, Arizona, in 1985.
