Esther was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2023

Dame Esther Ranzten has issued a heartbreaking update after stopping cancer treatment.

The BBC star, 85, was diagnosed with lung cancer back in 2023.

Dame Esther Rantzen gives heartbreaking update on cancer battle as she admits she's celebrating Christmas early so there's 'more chance I'll be alive' | Daily Mail Online
Esther has been battling cancer since 2023 (Credit: CoverImages.com)

Dame Esther Rantzen issues update after stopping cancer treatment

In a new interview, Dame Esther has revealed that she is planning an early ‘official’ Christmas, as there will be “more chance” she’s still alive to enjoy it.

Speaking to The Times, she said: “This year I am planning an ‘official’ Christmas with my children and five grandchildren, slightly ahead of the real Christmas so that there will be more chance that I am actually alive to enjoy it with them. Although I live alone, Rebecca (her daughter) will come and decorate the house beautifully, as she has done every year with all my old baubles and bits of tinsel,” she then continued.

The star then continued, saying: “When I was diagnosed with lung cancer in January 2023, I did not expect to last until the next Christmas, so the fact that I am still here and looking forward to this one is a wonderful surprise,” she said.

Esther Rantzen
Esther has stopped cancer treatment (Credit: CoverImages.com)

Dame Esther on stopping her treatment

The veteran TV star then revealed that she’s stopped treatment, and issued an update on how her cancer is progressing.

“Right now, I am not receiving any treatment, which was my doctor’s decision, as the side effects outweigh the benefits. So the cancers are progressing, but according to my most recent scan, very slowly.”

Esther also opened up about a mental health issue she has developed that she “never expected” – “scanxiety”. She explained that as scans have the possibility of more bad news, her anxiety levels increase as the date of the scan gets closer.

Esther also revealed her hope for 2026, which is the final passing of the Assisted Dying Bill. However, she sadly confessed she doesn’t expect to “survive long enough” to see it happen.

Esther Rantzen
Esther spoke about her treatment earlier this year (Credit: ITV)

Esther makes rare TV appearance

Back in June, Esther appeared on Loose Women, in which she discussed her cancer battle. 

She opened up about the drugs she’s been using, and how they, sadly, weren’t working anymore.

“They have these amazing new drugs now, which target the specific kind of cancer you’ve got. I had one of those drugs that lasted for quite some time,” she said.

“It’s not working now. But I have had these additional couple of years, which I certainly didn’t expect,” she added.

Read more: Dame Esther Rantzen’s daughter shares heartbreaking health update amid mum’s terminal cancer battle