Esther Rantzen gives 'pain' update after stage four lung cancer diagnosis


Dame Esther Rantzen has been hailed as "strong and courageous" following her appearance on ITV's Lorraine, where she discussed her fight against stage 4 lung cancer. The esteemed Childline founder, aged 84, opened up to Dr Hilary about her condition, which she first made public in 2023.

Despite the fact that her cancer is not smoking-related, the exact cause remains unknown to Esther.

During her conversation on Lorraine, Dame Esther provided an update on her health, stating: "I'm much better than I thought I would be, because I've got one of these amazing new drugs which seems to be holding the cancer at bay, to my surprise."

Esther has also been actively advocating for the legalisation of assisted dying in the UK since her diagnosis. She is holding Prime Minister Keir Starmer accountable to his pre-election commitment to "try and get a vote on legalising assisted dying before Christmas."

Reflecting on this, Esther remarked: "I'm very, very impressed that given all the challenges you know, national and international, he remembers the conversation we had before the election in which he made it clear that this is something he does feel very strongly about, that the law at the moment is unsatisfactory," reports the Mirror.

Esther Rantzen
Esther said she doesn't want her family to see her die in pain

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She added: "Being a lawyer himself, I think he thinks it's important that laws should be just and fair and clear, which this one is not."

Dame Esther has shared her heartfelt concerns: "I know, and anybody who's been in my situation and seen this happen, that memories of someone you love dying in pain can sometimes overwhelm the happy memories that you've had during their lifetime. So, I absolutely don't want that to happen to my family. I want them to remember the fun we've had, not any terminal pain I might be in."

She added the profound effect current laws could have on her final moments: "The effect of the current law is that if I do have to go to Switzerland and Dignitas, they won't be able to come with me, because I would risk them being investigated by the police for having supported me, which is all wrong."

On the matter of her legacy and the future, Dame Esther stated: "Even if it doesn't happen in my time, I do hope that other people in my situation will be given the choice. That's all I ask, to shorten their death, if that's what they want."

Dr Hilary Jones then contributed his perspective to Lorraine Kelly: "It was a very poignant interview, and it was great to hear her sounding strong and as courageous as always... This wouldn't be a substitute for palliative care."

He elaborated on the need for choice in such delicate matters: "It would just give people the right if they're in distress, if they're losing their dignity, and if they have got mental capacity, and they make the decision, it should be a choice for them to get assistance."