Dame Esther Rantzen has shared that she’s staying “optimistic” after she was diagnosed with lung cancer. The 82-year-old broadcaster, long-time activist and founder of charities Childline and The Silver Line, confirmed the news on Sunday, January 29.
Lung cancer is one of the most common and most serious types of cancer. The NHS says more than 43,000 people are diagnosed with it every year in the UK.
The most common cause of the condition is smoking and it mostly affects older people. However, some who have never smoked in their life can also develop lung cancer, reports Wales Online.
Dame Esther shared a statement about her diagnosis, she said: "At the moment I am undergoing various tests, to assess the best treatment.
“I have decided not to keep this secret anymore because I find it difficult to skulk around various hospitals wearing an unconvincing disguise, and because I would rather you heard the facts from me. At the age of 82, this diagnosis has prompted me to look back over the years, and I want to express my profound thanks to everyone who has made my life so joyful, filled with fun, and with inspiration."
She went on to pay tribute to the support of friends and family, including her children, Miriam, Rebecca and Joshua.. She added: “I have been continuously inspired by the courageous children, older people and viewers who have trusted me with their life stories. I have always tried to live up to that trust.
“As I am sure you will understand, while I am awaiting the results of the tests, I am unable to answer questions. Thanks to the extraordinary skills of the medical profession there are wonderful new treatments, so I am remaining optimistic.”
As support and tributes to Dame Esther pour in, here is everything about the signs and symptoms of lung cancer, according to the NHS.
Types of lung cancer
There are two main types of primary lung cancer:
- Non-small-cell lung cancer – the most common form, accounting for around 80 to 85 out of 100 cases. It can be one of three types: squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma or large-cell carcinoma
- Small-cell lung cancer – a less common form that usually spreads faster than non-small-cell lung cancer
Signs and symptoms
Sadly, there are usually no signs or symptoms of lung cancer in the early stages, with symptoms developing as the condition progresses.
The main symptoms of lung cancer include:
- A cough that does not go away after 3 weeks
- A long-standing cough that gets worse
- Chest infections that keep coming back
- Coughing up blood
- An ache or pain when breathing or coughing
- Persistent breathlessness
- Persistent tiredness or lack of energy
- Loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss
The less common symptoms of lung cancer can include:
- Changes in the appearance of your fingers, such as becoming more curved or their ends becoming larger (this is known as finger clubbing)
- Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) or pain when swallowing
- Wheezing
- A hoarse voice
- Swelling of your face or neck
- Persistent chest or shoulder pain
Treating lung cancer
The treatment depends of the type of cancer and how far it has spread. If it has been diagnosed early, surgery may be an option. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy can also be used if your general health makes surgery unsuitable.
Outlook
As lung cancer doesn't tend to cause noticeable symptoms until it has spread, the outlook for lung cancer is not as good as many other types of cancer unfortunately. About 2 in 5 people with the condition live for at least 1 year after they're diagnosed, and about 1 in 10 people live at least 10 years.
For more information, go to the NHS website here.
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