Home / Health / Esther Rantzen: My cancer drugs have stopped working
Esther Rantzen: My cancer drugs have stopped working
1 Feb
Summary
- Dame Esther Rantzen's stage four lung cancer medication is no longer effective.
- She is not expected to live long enough to see assisted dying legislation pass.
- Rantzen may need to travel to Switzerland for assisted dying if pain increases.
Dame Esther Rantzen, the veteran broadcaster, has shared a difficult health update, confirming her cancer medication is no longer effective. Three years after her stage four lung cancer diagnosis, Rantzen noted that while a "miracle drug" had kept her alive, it has now stopped working. She anticipates her disease will spread further, as indicated by an upcoming scan.
Rantzen, aged 85, who previously spoke in favour of assisted dying, expressed regret that she is unlikely to witness the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill become law. The bill, currently in the committee stage in the House of Lords, aims to allow terminally ill individuals with six months or less to live the option of an early death, subject to medical and expert panel approval.
She stated that if her life becomes unbearably painful, she will have to travel to Dignitas in Switzerland for a hastened death, potentially alone. Rantzen voiced concerns that amendments proposed in the House of Lords could indefinitely delay the bill, forcing more individuals to endure prolonged suffering. She previously told Kate Garraway that she fears "dying badly" and is making arrangements for an assisted death.
