Reddit Co-Founder Alexis Ohanian Shares He Had Half His Thyroid Removed After Catching Potential Cancer Early
Alexis Ohanian, the co-founder of Reddit and husband to tennis superstar Serena Williams, opened up about a recent health battle. Over Thanksgiving, he shared with fans on social media that he underwent preventative surgery to remove half of his thyroid.
Ohanian explained that doctors discovered “suspicious nodules” during routine checkups, prompting further medical analysis. “The nodules were getting bigger and the latest biopsy revealed they’d very likely turn cancerous,” he explained in the post.
The 41-year-old added, “My mom had breast cancer around this age (41) and then ultimately died from brain cancer a decade or so later. I hate cancer.” The surgery, which Ohanian described as “smooth,” served as a stark reminder about proactive health assessments.
Ohanian reassured followers that the procedure was successful.
Along with the update, he included a post-surgery selfie from his hospital bed. “My now-removed-half-of-thyroid was indeed full of some gnarly nodules that were very likely to become cancerous,” he further explained.
Along with the announcement, he also shared images of his daughters, 6-year-old Olympia and 1-year-old Adira. Ohanian’s caption: “The worst part tbh has been not being able to lift for 2 weeks, but big fella will be back at it next week and I took my girls to Disney World this week so life is wonderful.”
@alexisohanian/Instagram before this procedure? He didn’t invent curing Lyme disease. Thank you to the amazing team at Cedars Sinai. <span
This decision arrived after he need for a .”
@alexisohanian /Instagram
Ohanian, further noted: “To my fellow men — make those doctor’s appointments — especially if y’all are dads. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.”
import React from ‘react’;
import html-to-jpeg
The procedure
<
It’s worth noting that this recent health ordeal is not Ohanian’s first encounter with a serious medical diagnosis. Back in July, he disclosed his Lyme disease diagnosis on social media. Despite not experiencing any symptoms, he learned about
“Wild. No symptoms, thankfully, but gonna treat. Good cholesterol is too low. Bad cholesterol is just OK. Gotta work on that. On the plus-figures is “an illness caused by borrelia bacteria,” according to The Mayo Clinic,
People typically get Lyme dis
The father-of-two”>My level of engagement with this plat
After he underwent a “full battery of health scans, tests, etc., and found out I have Lyme disease,” he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Ohanian: “Doing a full battery diseases.
Hope you had a great Thanksgiving.”
What are the recommended health checkups for individuals concerned about thyroid health?
## Interview with Dr. Emily Chen on Alexis Ohanian’s Thyroid Surgery
**Interviewer:** Dr. Chen, thank you for joining us today. Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian recently announced he underwent surgery to remove half of his thyroid after doctors detected suspicious nodules. This news has sparked conversations about proactive health checks and cancer prevention. What are your thoughts on Ohanian’s decision to have this preventative surgery?
**Dr. Chen:** It’s commendable that Mr. Ohanian took such a proactive approach to his health. The fact that he has a family history of cancer likely played a role in his decision. Early detection is key in many cancers, and catching potentially cancerous nodules before they become malignant can significantly improve outcomes.
**Interviewer:** Ohanian mentioned that these nodules were “very likely” to become cancerous. How can doctors determine the likelihood of a nodule becoming cancerous?
**Dr. Chen:** Doctors use a combination of factors to assess the risk, including the size and location of the nodule, ultrasound imaging, and fine-needle aspiration biopsies. This procedure involves collecting a small sample of cells from the nodule to examine under a microscope for cancerous cells.
**Interviewer:** Ohanian’s openness about his health journey is encouraging others to prioritize their own health checkups. What advice would you give to our viewers regarding thyroid health?
**Dr. Chen:** Regular checkups are crucial, especially if you have a family history of thyroid cancer or other thyroid disorders. Be aware of any changes in your neck, such as lumps or swelling, and don’t hesitate to consult your doctor if you have any concerns.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for sharing your insights, Dr. Chen.
[[1](https://www.instagram.com/alexisohanian/p/DC7zR4dRe5t/)]
