Dame Esther Rantzen has disclosed that she has been diagnosed with lung cancer, although she is “optimistic” about her prognosis. The 82-year-old broadcaster and charity founder stated in a statement that she was undergoing testing to determine the optimal treatment for her disease.
During her time at the BBC, Dame Esther became a household name and a pioneer for female journalists.
She stated that the news caused her to express “deep gratitude to everyone who has made my life so fulfilling.”
Dame Esther stated in her statement that she received the diagnosis in the “recent weeks” and that cancer had spread.
She said that she had decided to disclose her condition “because I would rather you heard the truth from me” and “because I find it difficult to sneak about numerous hospitals while wearing a poor disguise.”
Dame Esther thanked her family, friends, and coworkers and stated that she would be unable to respond to queries while awaiting test results.
She said,
“Thanks to the incredible skills of the medical community, there are wonderful new medicines, therefore I stay positive.”
From 1973 to 1994, Dame Esther hosted That’s Life, a BBC consumer rights program hosted by Dame Esther. The series, which included both humorous and serious investigations, consistently attracted 20 million people.
She created ChildLine, a counseling and support organization for children and adolescents, in 1986.
In 2013, she also helped establish The Silver Line, a charity that helps older people in the United Kingdom combat loneliness. In 2015, she was awarded the DBE for her devotion to children and the elderly.
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