BBC radio presenter Rhianna Dhillon has revealed she has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer at the age of 37. In an Instagram post, she explained she has undergone a hysterectomy and is going to start chemotherapy.
Diagnosis and surgery
Rhianna, a well-known film and TV critic who broadcasts on BBC 6Music, shared a picture of herself in bed in a hospital gown, alongside a post titled: "Here we go again!" She explained that she had previously had a preventative double mastectomy because of her BRCA1 gene mutation, which stops cells repairing damaged DNA properly and increases the risk of developing certain cancers.
Rhianna told her followers: "I got my diagnosis two weeks ago and my surgery was on Friday so haven’t quite been able to process everything yet." She wrote: "I was at a much higher risk of getting ovarian cancer because of my BRCA1 genetic mutation, I wasn’t expecting to get it QUITE so young. I thought I had more time. I keep thinking of Blondie - despite me taking preventative measures with a double mastectomy, one way or another… this was always gonna get me."
Treatment and work plans
She continued: "I had a full hysterectomy, so an absolute full stop on one part of my life I definitely wasn’t ready to say goodbye to and the start of a stage of life that I really didn’t want to have to think about for another 15 years. The next 6 months are also looking very chemo-y so my film awards season is going to look slightly different… (I’m still going to work so please don’t write me off just yet)!"
Rhianna, who often appears alongside Lauren Laverne on the Breakfast Show, added: "I’m not quite ready yet for platitudes about silver linings and finding the positives in all this (hopefully that will come), but I will take all wig recommendations very seriously."
Support and gratitude
She thanked her family and friends, writing: "My mum, dad and brother who have stepped into action so quickly and have been there for every appointment, overnight stay, hysterical phone call - I love you and I’m so thankful for you and to all my family who have immediately been in touch to offer help and support, thank you."
She added: "My dearest, best friends. The love you have shown me. The messages, the consistent showing up, the voice notes, the tokens of love, you have no idea how much you have kept me together, even when I’ve felt so utterly broken. I don’t think I’ve ever really understood how much community meant until I had to rely on mine. You have all my gratitude and I love you so f***ing much."
For those asking what they could do to help, she said: "Just support, company and the constant reassurance that people will still think I’m fit, even with a massive Frankenstein scar down my stomach."
She concluded: "Ps being hopped up on morphine, as I was in this photo was quite fun, although slightly embarrassed that I greeted my lovely surgeon post op with 'IT’S MY MAIN MAN MIKE!!'"
Warning for BRCA carriers
In the comments, she added: "For fellow and future BRCA mutation carriers… I thought that by having all the knowledge I had, that I would manage to avoid getting cancer by sorting things out after I was 40 - and although the risk of ovarian rises from 35, 37 is still pretty uncommon, so just be aware of the symptoms. By the time mine presented, I was already stage 3, huge cysts which I could physically feel, bloating which I passed off as IBS, a constantly full bladder, which if you know me, is also very normal! Just don’t dismiss all the little things and let them add up."
Lauren Laverne, 48, wrote in the comments: "Oh sweetheart I’m so sorry. This is absolutely f***king outrageous bulls***. Sending you all the love in the world." Zoe Ball said: "Oh darling girl. heart goes out to you. sending all the love and strength. and more love." Adele Roberts added: "Sending you lots of love beautiful one."
