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Esther Rantzen Reveals Second Cancer, Halts Treatment and Urges Lords on Assisted Dying

Her disclosure coincides with a Lords committee stage crowded with amendments to the Commons‑backed assisted dying bill.

Overview

  • Dame Esther, 85, says a recent diagnosis found a different cancer that prompted chemo and radiotherapy, but doctors have now stopped all treatment because the harms outweigh the benefits.
  • She reports her cancers are progressing slowly on recent scans and describes experiencing intense pre‑scan anxiety she calls “scanxiety.”
  • Planning an early “official” Christmas with her children and five grandchildren, she hopes to increase the chance she can be well enough to enjoy it.
  • Rantzen remains registered with Dignitas and reiterates she would consider travelling to Zurich if life becomes unbearable, arguing for terminally ill people to have a legal choice at home.
  • The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill passed the Commons in June and is in a Lords committee with about 1,000 amendments, as she praises sponsor Kim Leadbeater and appeals to peers not to block progress.