Former Calgary Flames tough guy Jim Kyte bravely documents chemo treatment
Former NHL enforcer Jim Kyte, who spent parts of two seasons with the Calgary Flames, is documenting his chemotherapy regiment.
The 61-year-old uploaded a video this week where he refers to his treatment as a “proactive, preventative measure” to treat pre-cancerous skin issues.
Kyte, who racked up 1,342 penalty minutes over 598 career NHL games, said that he has had close friends and family who have battled cancer. Having completed 21 days of a 30-day chemotherapy program, he chose to go public with his treatment this November, given that it’s Hockey Fights Cancer month.
“Yes, it is as uncomfortable as it looks, but I do not have skin cancer,” Kyte said while showing the marks on both his head and face as caused from the treatment.
Kyte’s overall message he wanted to share with everybody is the importance of getting routine checks, as these issues are much easier solved if caught in the early stages.
“My grandma and my uncle both passed from colon cancer,” Kyte said. “I have had regular colonoscopies since the age of 40. Not a comfortable procedure. I also have an annual physical, which includes a prostate exam. Again, not very comfortable.”
Kyte also went on to explain that while what he’s going through right now isn’t very comfortable either, it’s far better than what somebody with cancer is forced to endure.
“I’ve seen first-hand what the pain, physical, mental, and emotional, that the patient and their friends and families go through. This is preventative with early detection. Cancer can be beaten. See your physician. Talk to them about the tests that you can do today for early detection [to] beat this deadly disease.”
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Kyte suited up for a combined 63 games with the Flames during the 1990-91 and 1991-92 seasons. He also appeared in seven playoff games with the Flames in 1991. He’s best remembered as a Winnipeg Jet, but also spent time with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Ottawa Senators, and San Jose Sharks.
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