Coronation Street cancer story for Kit is really polarising everyone

| Freelance Soaps Reporter Published August 31, 2026 12:35pm Updated August 31, 2026 12:35pm Fans are hot and cold over the recently announced storyline (Picture: Danielle Baguley/ITV) With the announcement that Coronation Street are set to explore the topic of breast cancer in males, fans took to the Metro Soaps Facebook page to have their say in their droves. After the revelation that the familial BRCA gene runs rife in their bloodline, Bernie Winter-Alahan (Jane Hazlegrove), and sister, Gemma Winter-Brown (Dolly-Rose Campbell), urgently undergo testing to discover if they carry it. Meanwhile, though, Kit Green (Jacob Roberts) has already been seeking medical advice on his own, and upcoming scenes will see him discover that he has stage three breast cancer. Kate Brooks, Corrie’s producer said: ‘This diagnosis absolutely shakes the foundations of Kit’s life as he struggles to digest what this means not only for him, but also for his family and loved ones. ‘Kit’s a complex character, and he struggles as he navigates this new world he’s been thrust into. His vulnerabilities become all too apparent as he wrestles with what this means to his sense of identity. ‘Whilst male breast cancer is rare, it’s important that we show it can happen to anyone. We must normalize conversations around this to encourage people to consult their GP at the earliest opportunity if any changes arise.’ A lot of Metro readers feel it’s an important story to tell (Picture: Danielle Baguley/ITV) Breast cancer in males Common symptoms can include A painless lump or swelling under the nipple or areola. An inverted or retracted nipple that turns inward. Nipple discharge or bleeding. Skin dimpling, puckering, or scaling on the chest. Sores (ulcers) on the chest or nipple area. Risk factors include Older age, most frequently diagnosed in men in their 60s. Inherited BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations. High oestrogen levels linked to obesity or liver disease. Genetic conditions such as Klinefelter syndrome. Statistics Around 400 to 420 men are diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK every year. For comparison, roughly 59,000 women are diagnosed annually. Approximately 1 in 870 men in the UK will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime. There are around 85 deaths from male breast cancer each year in the UK. Since the early 1970s, male breast cancer mortality rates have decreased by about 47%. While breast cancer diagnoses in UK women have risen by roughly a quarter since the early 1990s, incidence rates in men have remained stable. Some Metro readers praised the inclusion of the storyline, with Paula Baird writing: ‘Great that they are highlighting this. Males get breast cancer also but its never really highlighted anywhere for men to check their breasts like it is for women. Well done Coronation Street’. Jenny Slater reinforced the need for a conversation surrounding the disease in men should be started: ‘I worked with a guy who had breast cancer he was so embarrassed he wouldn’t tell anyone’, while Denize Halfpenny said: ‘Really important issue – good on you Corrie Others concurred with Paula, Jenny and Denize – while also being concerned over the show’s current taste for darker storylines. Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. Louise Cannon said: ‘I hope they have him being in remission, otherwise sends out the wrong message if they kill him off. Besides, Kit is an interesting character and Jacob is a very good actor. I do hope Corrie remembers to bring some lightness back to the soap too. It needs a bit more of that alongside the serious storylines like the “girls” getting together in Sally’s hot tub etc.’ Christine McCluskey added: ‘It’s good to recognise men get it too, but it’s doom and gloom constantly on the soaps, very depressing’. How do you feel about Kit's cancer story I think it's an important topic to cover!Check Sign up to Metro's GameCentral newsletter for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content Some fans want a return to lighter plots (Picture: Danielle Baguley/ITV) Then there were those who’re sick of dark storylines dominating the cobbles, yearning for a return to more light-hearted plots. Karen Hoyle said: ‘Oh no more depressing stories, lets have some light hearted humour and good luck or fortune for a change’, while Nina Allenby Ladle concurred: ‘More joy on the cobbles…we know it needs highlighting but…at least let’s hope we have a positive outcome to this storyline’. Marie Nicola said it straight: ‘Some people want escapism not to be reminded about death and illness.’ To counter, though, TJ H Evans pointed out that these things do happen, and with soaps renowned for opening conversation around taboo topics, he’s all for the plot. ‘Dramas aren’t meant to be all sunshine and rainbows, issue based topics are important and soap dramas do great for awareness and if it helps someone watching I’m always all for it,’ he said. ‘Get fed up with doom and gloom comments and people of that generation that generally think the same.’ Deals of the Day The viral LED face mask with over 350 lights that's currently discounted by £100 A friend said I looked 'snatched' – I credit this new Charlotte Tilbury powder Shop MySweetSmile's biggest Bank Holiday offers before they end Back-to-school shopping just got a lot cheaper thanks to Primark The back-to-school essential parents forget every year – and it could cost them Arrow MORE: EastEnders fans fear crisis after most devastating exit yet Arrow MORE: Kit rocked by Coronation Street death as terrifying news follows in new spoiler video Arrow MORE: Bethany stands up to Jodie as she commits shocking betrayal in Coronation Street GameCentral Sign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.