Nebraska weathercaster Kent Boughton says he plans to fight for his life and continue working after announcing on Friday, March 20 that he’s been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer which was dicovered after he noticed a strange symptom.
The 68-year-old Grand Island resident revealed the type of cancer is small cell carcinoma, which is aggressive and fast-growing. Despite the serious prognosis, Boughton says he’s prepared to “fight till the end.”
Kent Boughton Realized He Had Cancer After His Voice Changed
Boughton says he first realized something was wrong when his voice became unusually hoarse.
“Three weeks ago, my life changed in a way I never expected. After some tests and a lot of uncertainty, I was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.” He said the cancer has spread throughout his body before explaining that a change in his voice occurred because a tumor in his lung grew against one of his tonsils, causing local paralysis. “If that hadn’t happened, I wouldn’t have known have known I had cancer,” he said.
Boughton then detailed his plans to remain on the air while undergoing treatment. He said, “I’ve spent my entire career career telling you about storms, trying to save your lives for crying out loud, and preparing for what’s ahead for me is gonna be tough. But I’m gonna be here. I’m gonna be here for severe weather. I’m facing my own storm – my own inside tornado, if you will.”
The weather anchor, who joyfully shared a Christmas photo from a family celebration shortly before learning the news, went on to talk about his support system as well as his reason for speaking out, saying, “You need to hear this directly from me, not some rumor. I’m telling you just like it is. It isn’t an easy road for me. I have an incredible family base, amazing colleagues, and a community here in Grand Island. He also gave a shoutout to the “cornhuskers” of the state of Nebraska for “helping me out and supporting me. “You’ve done so for over 50 years. And that includes each and every one of you that have watched and continue to do so on NCN,” he reflected. The reporter then referenced an accident from almost two decades ago, joking, “You’ve welcomed me into your homes, you supported me after my car wreck. What was I doing driving a car into a semi?”
Boughton then thanked fans for laughing with him and standing by him, saying, “I try to throw some humor in it. I’m also serious when I need to be.
Weather Forecaster Kent Boughton Is Asking for Prayers
Towards the end of his cancer reveal, Boughton told his followers, “I don’t need anything from any of you except your prayers. I do ask for that. And I appreciate every single one.”
In a previous video on January 31, he revealed his vocal cord had been paralyzed, but didn’t yet know the cause. He theorized he simply had laryngitis, before diving into the cause with a CT scan.
