Veteran journalist and Childline founder Dame Esther Rantzen has shared a profoundly emotional update regarding her ongoing battle with cancer, revealing she plans to celebrate Christmas early with her family to increase the likelihood of being alive to enjoy it.
A Dual Cancer Diagnosis
The 85-year-old broadcaster, who was initially diagnosed with stage four lung cancer in 2023, disclosed that she has since been diagnosed with a second, different form of cancer. This recent development required her to undergo both chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments this year.
In a sobering decision, Dame Esther confirmed she is no longer receiving any treatment after her doctor concluded that the side-effects were outweighing the potential benefits. "Right now I am not receiving any treatment at all, which was my doctor’s decision, as the side-effects outweigh the benefits - so the cancers are progressing but, according to my most recent scan, very slowly," she told The Times.
Planning a Precious Early Christmas
Facing this reality, Dame Esther is taking proactive steps to create lasting memories with her loved ones. She revealed her plans to host an official Christmas celebration with her children and five grandchildren ahead of the actual holiday. "This year I am planning an 'official' Christmas with my children and five grandchildren, slightly ahead of the real Christmas so that there will be more chance that I am actually alive to enjoy it with them!" she said.
This poignant decision is framed by gratitude, as she reflected that back in 2023 she did not expect to survive to see another Christmas, making this upcoming celebration a "wonderful" surprise.
Advocacy for the Assisted Dying Bill
Dame Esther's update comes shortly after an emotional appearance where she joined Kate Garraway to discuss the assisted dying bill currently being debated by the House of Lords. During the segment, which left Garraway fighting back tears, Dame Esther became a powerful voice for terminally ill people across England and Wales.
She revealed her own end-of-life plans, which involve travelling to Dignitas in Switzerland, a non-profit organisation that provides physician-assisted death. "I'm not afraid of death, but I am, as someone once said, afraid of dying, I'm afraid of dying badly," she confessed.
Her appeal to the House of Lords was heartfelt and direct: "Please, House of Lords, give us terminally ill patients the hope, the confidence, the choice that if life gets unbearable, they can ask for help." She also addressed concerns that the bill could be used against disabled people, clarifying that it would only apply to those who are "terminally ill with six months or less to live".
Amidst her health struggles, Dame Esther has also spoken of her deep desire to be reunited with her late husband, Desmond Wilcox, who died of a heart attack in 2000. She described the "lovely idea" of meeting him again, along with other loved ones she has lost.
