Home / Arts and Entertainment / Actor Shaves Head for Cancer Role
Actor Shaves Head for Cancer Role
22 Sep
Summary
- Actor Jacob Roberts shaved his head for a male breast cancer storyline.
- Roberts researched male breast cancer by attending support groups.
- The storyline aims to increase awareness and reduce stigma around male breast cancer.
Jacob Roberts, who plays Kit Green on Coronation Street, has shaved his head to prepare for his character's chemotherapy treatment for stage three breast cancer. Roberts, 36, voluntarily embraced this change to enhance the authenticity of the storyline, stating he was unaware men could develop breast cancer.
To prepare, Roberts connected with men undergoing breast cancer treatment through online support groups. He learned about the emotional and physical impact, including hair loss and the often-masculine-averse environment of treatment centers. He is also losing weight to reflect the effects of chemotherapy.
The scriptwriters collaborated with Breast Cancer Now and Macmillan to ensure accuracy. Roberts' portrayal aims to increase awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding male breast cancer, a condition that affects many men who may hesitate to discuss their health concerns.
Roberts' character, Kit, discovers his diagnosis after his aunt's death, which raises the possibility of a familial BRCA gene mutation. The storyline is expected to run until early next year, with Roberts having already received Christmas scripts, indicating its long-term narrative arc.
