Broadcasting legend Dame Esther Rantzen has revealed that her lung cancer has now advanced to stage four and she has no idea whether her treatment is working.
The 82-year-old was diagnosed with cancer in January and shared the news shortly afterwards, saying that she was "remaining optimistic" about her prognosis.
Speaking to The Mirror, Rantzen said that the cancer is classified as stage four but added that she is on a new medication which may be helping.
"I'm on one of the new medications, and nobody knows if it's working or not," she said. "But I will have a scan fairly soon which will reveal one way or another."
"My diagnosis of stage 4 lung cancer made me realise how very lucky I've been in my life, working with Childline and the Silver Line, and meeting so many fascinating and inspiring people, and especially lucky to have spent 21 years working as producer/presenter of That's Life!" she continued.
"I'm not good at regrets. What I treasure most are the fantastic friendships I have made thanks to That's Life! during the last 50 years, the people I met, and the team who worked so hard, and laughed so hard, together for so long."
Stage four cancer is defined as a cancer that has spread from where it originated to another organ in the body. According to Cancer Research UK, stage-four lung cancer has a five-year survival rate of 5%.
Neil Wilkes
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