Aussie cricket legend Ian Chappell reveals cancer battle
Cricket commentator and former Australian captain Ian Chappell has revealed that he has been undergoing treatment for skin cancer.
The 75-year-old has reportedly completed five weeks of intensive radiation therapy after having carcinomas removed from his shoulder, neck and underarm.
Chappell told The Daily Telegraph that the prognosis is positive.
“I didn’t tell too many people early on. Mainly because I just wasn’t sure what the radiotherapy would involve and how weary I’d be,” said Chappell.
“But as it turned out, it wasn’t so bad. A bit of tiredness at night and a bit of skin irritation, but other than that I’m feeling pretty good.”
The Test cricket legend said he has gotten used to having skin cancers over the years.
“When you hit 70 you feel (vulnerable) anyhow, but I guess I’ve got so used to bloody skin cancers over the years, and the fact that none of them have been melanomas, probably provides a bit of comfort. It may be naivety on my part,” Chappell told The Daily Telegraph.
“I’ve had multiple skin cancers cut off, burnt off and every other way you can get rid of them,” he added.
Chappell said he decided to deal with the disease after watching his mother “come to grips with death”.
“You get to 70 and you start to think, ‘Christ, it’s getting near the end now’,” he said.
“But I saw my mother Jeanne near the end and she’d come to grips with death, and that’s probably when I thought, ‘Shit, this is something you need to deal with’.”
He also shared out the deaths of close pals Richie Benaud and Tony Greig affected him.
“When Richie and Tony (Nine commentary comrades Richie Benaud and Tony Greig) went … again, it was just a reminder that it happens to everybody," Chappell reflected.
Chappell has continued to work in the commentary box for the Nine Network during his radiotherapy. He confirmed that he will take part in the network’s Ashes coverage next month. “With the Ashes coming up now, I’ll speak to Nine and just say, ‘Look, I’m ready to go if you need me.’”