Radio presenter Jamie Theakston reveals stage one cancer diagnosis
The radio presenter Jamie Theakston has revealed he has been diagnosed with stage one laryngeal cancer.
The 53-year-old broadcaster, who co-hosts Heart Breakfast with Amanda Holden, said in a statement: “I recently had an operation to remove a lesion from my vocal cords. The biopsy has identified this as stage one laryngeal cancer. So – I have cancer – but cancer doesn’t have me.
“The prognosis is very positive and I’m hoping to be back with you in October.”
At the beginning of the month, Theakston thanked listeners who had noticed a difference in his voice. He said in an Instagram post: “Sooo – a few of you listeners have noticed my voice hasn’t sounded right these past few weeks – I’ve got you to thank ... got it checked – Doctors found a lesion on my vocal cords.”
Laryngeal cancer affects the larynx, according to the NHS website, and symptoms include pain when swallowing, a lump or swelling in the neck, and a persistent sore throat.
Prof Peter Johnson, NHS England’s national clinical director for cancer, said: “While any cancer diagnosis is daunting, it is really positive that Jamie’s has been picked up early.
“Talking about cancer and how to spot signs and symptoms helps save lives, as detecting cancer early gives people the best chance of successful treatment.
“One in two of us will develop some form of cancer in our lifetime – but thanks to continued progress, more cancers are now being diagnosed at an earlier stage than ever before and survival rates are at an all-time high, so I would encourage anyone to visit their GP if they have worrying symptoms, and to take up screening appointments.”
Theakston found fame in the late 1990s, when he co-hosted Top of the Pops and the BBC children’s series Live & Kicking. He began co-hosting Heart’s breakfast show in 2005.