British journalist and broadcaster Anne Diamond has revealed she has been diagnosed with breast cancer.
She received the news on the same she found out she was to be given an OBE for her campaigning on cot deaths.
The presenter admitted that she was “still going through it” but added that she was now “well enough” to return to work.
Here’s everything you need to know.
Who is Anne Diamond?
Anne Diamond is currently a GB News presenter, but began her career in regional news.
She went on to work for both ITV and the BBC, becoming a star of daytime TV in the 1980s and 1990s.
She presented programmes like BBC One’s Good Morning with Anne And Nick, TV-am’s Good Morning Britain and TV Weekly.
She joined GB News in 2022 to host weekend breakfast shows with Stephen Dixon, but has been off air for six months.
What other shows has she worked on?
She has also been a presenter on radio shows on LBC, Radio Oxford, BBC London and BBC Berkshire as well as a panellist on Loose Women and The Wright Stuff - a topical debate show hosted by journalist Matthew Wright.
In 2002, Diamond appeared on Celebrity Big Brother and became the second person to be evicted.
Is she currently on holiday from GB News?
The presenter has not been on holiday, and explained her absence when speaking to GB News’ Dan Wootton.
She revealed she had undergone a double mastectomy in her “fight against breast cancer” – which she described as “a long journey”.
Diamond said: “I haven’t been on a world cruise, which is what I know social media has been saying… because I’m well known now for loving cruises.
“It’s been a fight against breast cancer. That’s what it’s been. It’s been a long journey. And five months later, I’m still not at the end of the journey, but I’m through it enough to come back to work.”
She added: “I had the full works, the full mastectomy. This is the first time I’ve talked about it, so it’s quite difficult but I’ve had the full works. The first operation I had was nine hours long.
“I’ve had a load of radiotherapy, which I found very hard too.
“So it’s been a journey, but I’m not pretending for a minute that I am extraordinary, because I am fully aware that a quarter of women in this country are going through what I’ve just gone through and I don’t have any advice to give. I only have empathy.”
Diamond will return to GB News on Saturday to host Breakfast with Dixon.
How to spot breast cancer
According to Breast Cancer UK, the disease is the most common form of cancer in the UK, and the most common cancer in women globally.
You should aim to check your breasts regularly, at least once a month.
When checking your breasts you should look at the size and shape of each one and check for lumps, whilst making sure to check your nipples and the skin on your breasts as well.
Check each area for any pain when you’re touching them, too.
You might notice that your breasts feel different at different times of the month; it’s a good idea to become familiar with what’s normal for you during these times, so you can spot anything unusual.
What to look out for
- A change in the size or shape of your breast
- A change in the look or feel of your skin
- A new lump, thickening, or bumpy area in one breast or armpit
- Discharge or bleeding from your nipple
- Any new discomfort or pain in one breast that doesn’t go away
If you do notice a lump in your breast, you should get this checked out by your doctor straight away.
