Stand-up comedian Moshe Kasher announced on Instagram Sunday that he was diagnosed with cancer after doctors found a tumor in his tonsil. He described major surgery at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, his ongoing recovery, and urged HPV vaccination
Moshe Kasher didn’t share the news with a delay or a vague caption. In an Instagram post on Sunday, the stand-up comedian, writer and actor told followers that he’s been diagnosed with cancer after undergoing surgery earlier this week.
Kasher said doctors discovered a tumor in his tonsil while he was working on a film project. “Three months ago. While in Savannah. Producing the new Judd Apatow/Glen Powell movie. ‘The Comeback King.’ Which is going to rule so hard. I found a bump on my tonsil. It was cancer,” he wrote, adding, “Which did no rule so hard.”.
He then detailed the operation itself, describing how the procedure was performed at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. “Two days ago. A Jewish surgery robot at Cedars Sinai yanked my jaw open for five hours and cut it out and then slit my throat and dissected my neck leaving me with a hardcore neck scar which will make people reluctant to street fight me.”.
Kasher said his tongue was “clamped and yanked out of my mouth” and described the aftermath in vivid terms: “and is so swollen and bruised. I sound like ‘I Am Sam.’”
He called the experience terrifying, but he also made clear he kept working through treatment. “This has been the most terrifying and consciousness consuming experience of my life,” he wrote. “My life has been terror. Meditation. Tears. And medical planning (Oh. and 12 hours days on set pitching jokes.) I truly cannot believe I managed to work an entire movie while dealing with this.” He credited Judd Apatow with support during the period. writing that Apatow “could not have been a more kind. supportive and nurturing friend all while on the verge of a 5-Hour Energy overdose from his terrifying habit.”.
Kasher praised the medical staff at Cedars-Sinai, saying he expects to recover fully, though he may still need additional treatment. “The people at Cedars are all such kind pros and I feel like I’m in the best hands possible. ” he wrote. “I’m in pain and I’m in the middle of a very difficult process. It’s gonna be a long summer.”.
He also said the cancer diagnosis comes with a high cure rate, describing it as “in the 95% zone.” He added that he will find out next week whether he needs radiation. “But regardless I will be ok and back to being a cool dude asap.”
Alongside his recovery update, Kasher used the post to urge awareness and prevention around HPV-related cancers. He encouraged vaccination and early screening. writing: “Get checked and vaccinate your damn kids!” He also referenced “HPV anxieties. ” while telling readers. “Work out your RFK anxieties on the measles if you must.”.
Kasher said he considers HPV-related tonsil cancer an urgent issue for younger men. writing that “HPV positive tonsil cancer is an epidemic in men under 35.” He then connected the diagnosis to sexual health in his own blunt way: “The other bit of good news is that this is cancer you get from sex. So it’s cool that not you know I’ve officially had that.” He followed with a warning to families: “The bad news is HPV positive tonsil cancer is an epidemic in men under 35. Get checked and vaccinate your damn kids!. Work out your RFK anxieties on the measles if you must. Trust me. You do not want your kids to go through this.”.
He framed Father’s Day as part of his reason for pushing the message: “As for going through this – I am. I will continue. I will get better. I’m so grateful I have a life that’s worth living and a kid to raise this Father’s day.”
In closing, Kasher expressed gratitude to his friends, family and medical team by name for support. “Thanks to Natasha and all of my wonderful friends who have been so supportive,” he wrote. He described waking up on the operating table as “so flooded with emotions and gratitude for my life and the gift of consciousness.”.
He ended with a simple, immediate vow focused on survival and daily life: “I can’t wait to go back to work. but for now – I breathe. I walk. I eat. I survive. I live.”
Moshe Kasher cancer diagnosis Cedars-Sinai Medical Center tonsil cancer HPV stand-up comedian Judd Apatow Glen Powell The Comeback King Instagram
HPV shot should’ve been taught in schools earlier.
Wait so it was in his tonsil but they’re talking like it’s from HPV?? I thought cancer was just random bad luck. Hope he recovers for real though.
the “Jewish surgery robot” line is weird to me. Like why is that in the caption? also he says he was working on set through treatment… idk man that sounds kinda reckless? but maybe not.
I saw something about this on Instagram and thought it was just like, strep or something?? tonsil tumor then “slit my throat”?? that’s intense. Also people keep saying HPV vaccine but my cousin didn’t get it and he’s fine so like… seems sketchy to blame one thing. Either way praying, but Cedars Sinai is probably expensive.