Dame Esther Rantzen has said she is remaining “optimistic” after revealing she has been 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.
Sadly, lung cancer is one of the most common - and most serious - types of cancer, with the NHS saying more than 43,000 people are diagnosed with the condition every year in the UK. It mostly affects older people and smoking is the most common cause, although some people who have never smoked in their life can also develop lung cancer.
Dame Esther shared the news of her diagnosis in a statement, saying her cancer had spread and she no longer wants to keep it a secret. She said: "At the moment I am undergoing various tests, to assess the best treatment.
“I have decided not to keep this secret any more 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 her children, Miriam, Rebecca and Joshua, her friends and her colleagues. 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.”
In addition to her success as a journalist and broadcaster, Dame Esther is also the founder of children’s charity Childline, which she established in 1986. The charity offers counselling and support for children and young people in the UK up until the age of 19, and became part of the The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) in 2006.
Following the news of Dame Esther’s cancer diagnosis, NSPCC chief executive Sir Peter Wanless said: “I speak on behalf of Childline’s volunteers, staff and supporters in sending love and best wishes to Dame Esther Rantzen and her family. Esther’s tireless commitment to Childline and the wider NSPCC over the years is truly inspiring and the positive impact that’s she had on children’s live is unimaginable.
“No matter what, she has always been here for children and young people and likewise, we are here to support her during this challenging time.”
As tributes to Dame Esther's bravery pour in, here is everything you need to know about lung cancer and the signs and symptoms of the condition, 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.
