DISGRACED entertainer Rolf Harris was “gravely ill” before his death aged 93.
But what type of cancer did he have which left him unable to walk, talk or eat?
Rolf Harris died after a long battle with neck cancer
The disease allegedly left the shamed TV star unable to talk, walk or eat
What type of cancer did Rolf Harris have?
Harris had cancer of the neck – specifically metastatic squamous cell carcinoma – before he died.
The disease allegedly left the shamed TV star – who served three years in prison for a string of child sex attacks – “gravely ill”.
In October 2022, private investigator William Merritt, who wrote a book about Harris’ trial, claimed he was being fed by tubes.
He also said Harris gargled when he spoke and was difficult to understand.
Neighbour Portia Wooderson told the Telegraph: “Only carers and nurses, who care for him 24 hours, come and go.
“I’m told he can’t eat anymore.”
What is neck cancer?
Head and neck cancer is an umbrella term for more than 30 areas.
This includes the mouth, lips, voice box, throat, salivary glands, nose and sinuses.
All forms are relatively uncommon, with around 12,400 new cases diagnosed in the UK every year, according to the NHS.
Most are squamous cell cancers, which occur in the outermost surface of the skin or certain tissues.
The main risk factors are tobacco and alcohol, with three out of four cases linked to use of at least one.
Head and neck cancer is also most common in people over 50, those with low immunity, people with limited exposure to sunlight, or prolonged exposure to dust and chemicals like formaldehyde.
Symptoms depend on where the cancer started and if it has spread to other areas, such as the lymph nodes as it did in Harris.
But the most common signs are:
- A mouth ulcer that doesn’t heal within a few weeks
- Red or white patches in the mouth that don’t go away within a few weeks
- Difficulty swallowing or pain when chewing or swallowing
- Changes to your voice (e.g. hoarseness)
- A constant sore throat and earache on one side
- A swelling or lump in the face, mouth or neck
- A blocked nose that does not clear
- Breathing more loudly than normal
- Changes in your speech
Mouth cancer is the most common type of head and neck cancer.
When did Rolf Harris die?
Sex offender Harris’ death was registered on May 23, 2023.
But his death certificate revealed he passed away on May 10.
The cause was given as metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the neck and “fragility of old age”.
