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Utah basketball coach Larry Krystkowiak has dealt heavily with the consequences of cancer in his life, losing several loved ones in their battles.

Perhaps his familiarity is why he's comfortable speaking about his own in passing.

On his coaches' show on ESPN 700 on Monday night, Krystkowiak was speaking with host Bill Riley about his diet and mentioned casually that he hadhttp://espn700sports.com/utes/larry-krystkowiak-had-cancerous-thyroid-removed-in-spring/";> his thyroid removed this spring after it was determined to be cancerous — he brought it up to explain his weight.

"I'm chubby — I had my thyroid taken out this spring," he said. "Found some cancer in it. It's the strangest thing."

Krystkowiak has been private in the past about medical conditions. After the 2014-15 season, for instance, he had his second knee replacement.

Cancer is a particularly troublesome adversary for Krystkowiak, http://www.si.com/vault/1985/02/04/627679/he-has-taken-some-tough-shots";>who lost his mother to cancer when he was eight years old. In recent years, he became close to assistant http://www.sltrib.com/sports/2184090-155/utah-basketball-utes-rally-around-coach";>Andy Hill's father who died of cancer in 2015, as well as former playerhttp://www.sltrib.com/home/3931057-155/kragthorpe-krystkowiak-says-former-player-cory";> at Montana Cory Reiser who died earlier this year.

The Utes have had several fundraisers at games in conjunction with the Huntsman Center to raise money for cancer research or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoHVdkN4F4k";>bring in teddy bears for child patients of cancer.

Krystkowiak, however, didn't seem to be too solemn on Tuesday about having his thyroid removed, preferring self-deprecation.

"It's OK if I skip a meal," he said. "That's one of the byproducts of not having a thyroid. I guess you get a little chunky."

https://twitter.com/espn700bill/status/805960982124064770";>Riley tweeted afterward that Krystkowiak told him he is now cancer-free.

kgoon@sltrib.com
Twitter: @kylegoon