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Marisa Abela Says Cancer Surgery Left Her Fearing She'd Lose Her Voice

She recounts the ordeal on How To Fail with Elizabeth Day.

Overview

  • The Industry actor, 29, was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2020 at age 23 and underwent an eight-hour operation.
  • Surgeons performed a total thyroidectomy and removed about 19 lymph nodes after she first sought care thinking she had Covid due to brain fog.
  • She says she signed a consent acknowledging the risk to the nerve controlling her voice box and tested her voice as soon as she woke.
  • Hospital constraints during the pandemic meant she went in alone and recovered in a burns unit because ICU beds were unavailable.
  • She describes worries about scarring and long-term hormonal effects, credits husband Jamie Bogyo for support, and notes continued work including Industry, Barbie, Back To Black, and a 2025 BAFTA win.