Springwatch Presenter Michaela Strachan Details Second Cancer Scare Following Breast Cancer Battle
BBC wildlife presenter Michaela Strachan has revealed she experienced a second cancer scare twelve years after her initial breast cancer diagnosis. The 59-year-old Springwatch host, known for her work alongside Chris Packham, shared the distressing episode during a recent podcast appearance.
Initial Diagnosis and Treatment
Strachan was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014 after participating in ITV's diving competition show Splash! The discovery came following a routine mammogram in Cape Town, where she resides with her film director partner Nick Chevallier and their son Oliver. As part of her treatment, Strachan underwent a double mastectomy after consulting with medical professionals and a friend who had faced similar circumstances.
"She said to me, 'get them both off'," Strachan recalled about her friend's advice. "'You don't want to be looking at that other one and always wondering whether it's going to come back into that breast.'"
Second Health Scare During Springwatch Broadcast
The second health scare occurred in 2019 while Strachan was presenting Springwatch live from the Cairngorms in Scotland. Alert viewers noticed a visible lump on her throat during the broadcast and contacted her after the show.
"I was doing Springwatch and I had a few people after the show message me and say, did you know you've got a lump on your throat?" Strachan explained on the How to Be 60 with Kaye Adams podcast. "I was watching the show back in bed and I thought, 'oh my god, I do - I've got a lump'. It was like an Adam's apple at the side of my throat that was moving up and down as I spoke."
Urgent Medical Investigation
After informing the Springwatch production team about the discovery, Strachan was able to see a doctor who arranged urgent blood tests at a local hospital. This was followed by a weekend appointment with a throat cancer specialist in London's Harley Street.
The timing proved particularly difficult as fellow television presenter Nicki Chapman had recently been diagnosed with a brain tumour. "Everyone was talking about Nicki," Strachan said. "I can't say, 'by the way, I just found a lump on my throat, it could be cancer!' So the whole thing was just awful."
Medical Consultation and Fears
During her specialist appointment, Strachan confronted her fears directly. "I said, 'give me the worst case scenario' and he said, 'I don't want to do that'," she recounted. "I said, 'Well, I'm asking you. Could it be cancer?' He said, 'It could be, but it would be highly unlikely. I've never heard of secondary breast cancer in your throat.'"
The specialist explained that removal of the lump could potentially affect her vocal cords, which was particularly concerning for someone whose career depends on her voice. "I'm thinking, oh great, none of this is sounding good," Strachan admitted.
Positive Outcome and Recovery
Fortunately, medical tests revealed the lump was a benign cyst that doctors were able to drain without complications. Strachan has since made a full recovery from the procedure.
The experience has given her a new perspective as she approaches her 60th birthday in April. "I think when you've had the big C scare, which so many people have had, it does make you feel like every year's a bonus," she reflected. "I think, great, let's just make the most of it because who knows what's going to happen next."
Emotional Impact and Trauma Processing
Strachan also discussed the emotional toll of her cancer journey, particularly on her partner Nick whose previous wife died from colon cancer. "To go back to your partner and say I've just been diagnosed with breast cancer, when he lost his previous wife to cancer, is an incredibly tough thing to do," she said.
She later underwent trauma therapy release (TRE) to process the psychological impact of her experiences. "I cried the first time I did it, and suddenly I'm sobbing," Strachan described. "That was getting the trauma out."
The Springwatch presenter's openness about her health struggles provides insight into the ongoing challenges faced by cancer survivors and the importance of vigilance even after successful treatment.
