Dame Esther Rantzen Considers Assisted Dying Amid Stage 4 Lung Cancer Battle

The Childline founder has joined Dignitas and calls for a free vote on changing UK's assisted dying laws.

Dame Esther Rantzen, the 83-year-old broadcaster and founder of Childline, has revealed that she is considering assisted dying if her condition does not improve after treatment for stage 4 lung cancer.
She has joined Dignitas, a Swiss organization that provides physician-assisted suicide to members, and has called for a free vote on changing the rules about assisted dying in the UK.
Assisted suicide is currently banned in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, with a maximum prison sentence of 14 years.
Dame Esther expressed concern about the potential legal repercussions for her family and friends if they were to accompany her to Zurich for the procedure.
The Health and Social Care Committee is due to publish its report into assisted dying and assisted suicide in England and Wales, following an inquiry launched in December 2022.