16 August 2023 , 22:08
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Alfie Moon was diagnosed with prostate cancer on Wednesday but EastEnders fans have questioned why his doctors failed to mention his previous brain tumour during the consultation.
The stalwart was encouraged to go to the hospital by Phil Mitchell where he underwent tests and subsequently was given the diagnosis but, the doctors nor Alfie reference his brain tumour. In 2017, Alfie required surgery after doctors discovered he had a brain tumour in the BBC soap's spin-off Redwater.
Alfie made a full recovery but almost died on the operating table and viewers have questioned why this information has not been mentioned. One confused fan tweeted: "Don't worry Alfie about having cancer the writers can make it disappear like they made your brain tumour miraculously vanish," and another said: "So they're just not gonna reference Alfie's brain tumour at all?"
Alfie nearly died having surgery for a brain tumour (BBC)"Didn't Alfie have a terminal brain tumour years ago? What happened with that," a third remarked and another asked: "So I guess Alfie's brain tumour will never be mentioned again. Recovery by retcon?" A fourth commented: "So Alfie is going to have another cancer storyline? are we all just going to forget he's already had a brain tumour that was supposed to be fatal, and was never spoken about again?"
EastEnders is working with leading charities Prostate Cancer UK and Macmillan Cancer Support for the storyline. Addressing the storyline, Chris Clenshaw, Executive Producer said: "When we first embarked on this storyline we knew it was imperative that we worked alongside Prostate Cancer UK and Macmillan Cancer Support to take on and accurately portray such an emotional and pivotal storyline for Alfie.
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Phil encouraged Alfie to go to the hospital (BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)"And one that many viewers may relate to Shane [Richie] has thoughtfully portrayed the realities of being diagnosed with prostate cancer with grace and understanding. We hope that this storyline resonates with the audience, and that we represent it as sensitively, and as accurately as possible."
Amy Rylance, Head of Improving Care, at Prostate Cancer UK added: "It's been a pleasure working alongside EastEnders on their prostate cancer storyline, and we salute the BBC for approaching Prostate Cancer UK to ensure the narrative is as close to real life as possible.
"Every man's experience of prostate cancer is unique, and it's so important for viewers to be given accurate information about the disease. It's been a privilege to provide insight into Alfie Moon's journey with prostate cancer, ensuring an authentic story is told every step of the way. Introducing Shane (Richie) to one of our supporters affected by prostate cancer gave him the opportunity to understand what it's like to experience the disease first hand."
If you have been affected by this story, advice and support can be found at Macmillan Cancer Support and Prostate Cancer UK.