Through the challenges and dark moments he has faced, actor, singer, performer, and filmmaker Steven, has focused on the positive and adjusting to his new reality, embracing life with renewed determination and joy.
For this performer, the show must go on
When your life’s work and passion depend on your voice and physical energy, surviving five rounds of tongue cancer treatment and a diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis can be overwhelming.
Actor, singer, performer, and filmmaker Steven Bidwell, 54, has faced significant challenges and dark moments, but by focusing on the positive and adjusting to his new reality, he’s embracing life with renewed determination and joy.
A Journey of Cancer
Steven’s cancer journey began in 1997 with a persistent canker sore. It was surgically removed, and he recovered well. A decade later, the cancer returned, requiring the removal of a larger portion of his tongue. Another decade brought another surgery. Then, in 2020 and 2021, it returned twice more, leading to two additional partial glossectomies, this time with skin grafts from his thigh to aid recovery.
In the fall of 2023, cancer appeared again, this time in a lymph node in his neck and once more on his tongue. Surgery was followed by chemotherapy and radiation, and the recovery was much slower, lasting well into 2024.
An Unexpected PF Diagnosis – Managing Multiple Conditions
Between these last two bouts with cancer, Steven received unexpected news. During a medical assessment to join a cruise ship as a performer, doctors informed him, “Did you know you have pulmonary fibrosis?” Steven was shocked. “I had no symptoms at the time,” he says. “So, I just let it go and carried on with the job.”
Although cancer and its treatments can be risk factors for PF, Steven had not undergone chemo or radiation before his IPF diagnosis. He now sees an interstitial lung disease specialist in Toronto, along with his oncologist at Princess Margaret Hospital. The two coordinate to ensure that his treatments don’t conflict.
He returned to the stage in late 2024, his first performance since the 2023 surgery and treatments, but found himself easily fatigued. Looking back, he realizes this was due to both post-treatment recovery and increasing IPF symptoms. He was exhausted and lost weight. In early 2025, he began working again with a production company.
From Low Point Renewed Hope
Starting on nintedanib (OFEV) was rough. “I think I was still worn down from radiation,” Steven says. “I couldn’t cope with the vomiting and diarrhea from the medication. It wasn’t sustainable.”
Eventually, during a difficult winter in 2025 marked by weeks of relentless coughing, Steven hit a low point. After reading online that IPF was a terminal illness, he spiraled. “Finding out there was no cure really messed with my head. I couldn’t believe I’d survived all that cancer treatment only to be diagnosed with something progressive and incurable. I wasn’t sure I could cope.”
But in time, both the disease symptoms and the medication side effects subsided. A trip to the Bahamas in March with friends helped lift his spirits. “Just being outside in the sun, having fun with people I care about, it made a huge difference mentally,” he says. “The warm weather also had a really positive effect on my lungs and my overall well-being.”
Adapting and Moving Forward
Back home, he returned to the gym, gained weight, built stamina, adjusted his anti-fibrotic dosage to a more manageable level, and began planning for the future. He has since performed again, but is cautious about physically demanding roles. “I’m more focused on television and film now,” he explains. “Though I won’t say no to a stage role, just maybe not one that requires a lot of dancing. I always have water on hand and make sure to advocate for what I need.”
He’s established daily routines to manage side effects like dry mouth from radiation and his lingering cough. Mornings start with two to three large glasses of water to loosen phlegm, followed by half an hour of jaw, neck, and mouth stretches and speech exercises. Some of these will be familiar to other singers and actors.
Living Life to the Fullest: Connecting and Sharing
Travel is still on the agenda. “I’ve decided I have to live bigger and better now, because tomorrow isn’t promised. I’m going to live my life, my way, even if it means making a few adjustments.”
Steven finds connection in sharing his thoughts on the CPFF Facebook page. While he values the wealth of information available on the CPFF website, he tries not to dwell too much on what might come.
His advice to others facing similar circumstances? “If something feels off, like a cough that won’t go away or a canker sore that doesn’t heal within 10 days, get it checked out. I’ve been very lucky that my cancers were caught early each time.”
For now, Steven is in the early stages of IPF and remains committed to living life to the fullest. For this performer, the show will go on.