Esther Rantzen hailed 'strong and courageous' as she delivers stage 4 cancer update

Dame Esther Rantzen has been hailed as "strong and courageous" following her candid discussion about her struggle with cancer on ITV's Lorraine. The esteemed 84-year-old Childline founder opened up to Dr Hilary on the show regarding her fight with stage 4 lung cancer, an illness that she first disclosed in 2023 and which is not related to smoking.

Rantzen admitted she doesn't know the exact cause of her condition.

During her appearance on Lorraine, she gave viewers a frank health update, saying: "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."

Following her diagnosis, Esther has passionately advocated for assisted dying to become legal in the UK, ensuring PM Keir Starmer does not forget his commitment to "try and get a vote on legalising assisted dying before Christmas."

She expressed her respect for Starmer: "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 added on the matter of law due to Starmer's professional background: "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 spoken poignantly about her wishes, sharing with a heavy heart: "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 expressed frustration with current legislation, noting: "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."

Reflecting on the impact she hopes to have, 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 joined the conversation, offering 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."

clarifying further, "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."