‘I Had A Wake Up Call:’ ‘Shark Tank’ Star And Hip-Hop Fashion Mogul Daymond John, 53, Has A Warning About Thyroid Cancer He Learned The Hard Way

He credits "regular appointments with my doctors and early action being taken as soon as the nodule was detected on my thyroid," John recently told Ebony magazine.

In 2017, John received an unexpected diagnosis of Stage 2 thyroid cancer, at the age of 48, during a routine physical exam and despite having no prior symptoms.

He quickly had surgery to increase his chances of survival from a cancer that often evades early detection due to the lack of technological advancement in diagnostics.

John is now five years in remission, and calls the ordeal a "wake up call."

"A man who has health has a thousand dreams, but a man without health has only one," John said. "Health is wealth, and the habits that we form now will set us up for a long, happy, and healthy life for years to come."

The creator of the hip-hop fashion line FUBU in the 1990's, John says regular screenings and checkups are crucial, especially for Black men.

According to a recent report by Medical News Today, the cancer incidence rate among Black men is 14% higher than white males.

John believes diet and lifestyle are critical factors.

"I want to empower people to take control of their health, which means look at what you put into your body. No matter how much you exercise, you can't outwork a bad diet," he said.

"It's not always easy, but changing my diet and focusing on nutrition have made a huge impact on my life. I've cut back on sugar, limited alcohol and tried to find ways that I can be active every day."

Things To Know About Thyroid Cancer

Spotting thyroid cancer can often be difficult.

The American Cancer Society reports that symptoms may include a lump, swelling or pain in the neck, voice changes, trouble swallowing or breathing or even a constant cough.

"Most people have no discrete symptoms the majority of cases now are found incidentally," Dr. Allen Ho, a head and neck surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Hospital, tells SurvivorNet. "However, a sizable number of people may first discover their cancer when they feel a bump on their neck. Other possible late symptoms include problems swallowing, the sensation of something in their throat, neck compression when laying flat or voice changes."

Thyroid cancer is fairly common, with the American Cancer Society estimating that almost 44,000 new cases will be diagnosed this year. The disease is around three times more likely to affect women than men.

In recent years, the number of diagnosed cases has been going up, but that might be good news. Improvements to scan technology has made it more likely to pick up signs of the disease, leading to earlier and more effective treatment.

Dr. Zuri Murrell pushes for patients to always advocate for themselves

A Variety Of Treatments

Treatments can vary, depending on the type of cancer present. According to the Mayo Clinic, some varieties might not even require any treatment at all, at first, due to how slowly they grow.

However, surgery is often recommended as part of a course of action. These surgeries can range in severity, from removing a portion of the thyroid to removing the lymph nodes in the neck.

While recovery from surgery can vary from person to person, most patients make a recovery in 10 days to two weeks.

Aside from surgery, there are a range of other possible treatments that a doctor might recommend. Those include hormone therapy that can suppress the growth of cancerous cells, radiation therapy, chemotherapy or using targeted drugs.

Dr. Beth Karlan talks the importance of speaking up when you feel that something is wrong

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