Jamie Theakston has given a health update after undergoing cancer treatment, speaking of how he has to see a surgeon ‘every month’ for check-ups.
Heart Breakfast presenter Jamie, 53, announced in September last year that he had been diagnosed with stage 1 Laryngeal cancer after a lesion was removed from his vocal chords.
Jamie temporarily stepped down from his presenting role on the show – which he co-hosts alongside Amanda Holden on weekday mornings – as he underwent surgery.
The former Live & Kicking star announced earlier this year that he was now cancer free – swinging by the studio to share the good news with Amanda and temporary co-host JK.
However, while the risk of the disease returning is described as ‘very low,’ Jamie has revealed that he is under instruction to visit his surgeon on a monthly basis.
In a new interview, Jamie has opened up on his recovery – and the accompanying feeling of ‘scanxiety’ which has followed.
Speaking to The Times, Jamie described how the intervals between his hospital appointments will increase after a year – lengthening to three and then six months.
On his journey to recovery, Jamie said: ‘I was given the option of radiotherapy, but we decided that surgery was a better option. I had to go back for a second operation and have more tissue removed. That reset my recovery right back to the beginning.’
He continued: ‘I was frustrated because I just wanted to get back to work. I remember reading an interview Amanda had given saying, “We hope to have him back by Christmas.” I had thought, way before Christmas! So the second operation put us back a bit.’
Jamie continued: ‘And then we found that during the healing process, some scar tissue was touching the other vocal cord. So I had to go back and have a third surgery.
‘We were happy that the cancer was clear but to allow my voice to operate, they had to remove the scar tissue, which unfortunately had formed in a place where we didn’t want it forming.’
This then led to the fear that the broadcaster might lose his voice altogether.
‘By this stage we were into a situation where so much of the vocal cord had been removed that there was a real chance I wouldn’t get my voice back at all. But luckily the third surgery went well and we were quite confident that that was it and that was done,’ Jamie added.
Jamie returned to his position at Heart Breakfast on January 20, announcing the news during a visit to the studio in the week before.
‘Today is the fourth month anniversary of my cancer diagnosis, so it’s been four months, and I’ve had enough of hospitals and operations, and it’s just lovely to be back, and I’ve got some news for you, because I can tell you that as of today, I’m cancer free!’ he revealed.
‘I’ve got some more news for you. Because I can tell you that on Monday I’ll be back on the show!’
Amanda then joked: ‘What do you want for breakfast?’
Upon returning to the show, Jamie reunited with long-time friend Davina McCall – recalling how a hug from her had initially prompted him to seek medical advice.
The former Big Brother presenter, 57, had given gave Jamie a strong hug – causing pain in his throat. It was then that he recieved his cancer diagnosis.
‘I was so worried about you,’ a tearful Davina said as she reunited with Jamie in the studio.
‘Can I be honest, when I hugged you that day here, and you went, “Ow, ow, ow!’ I looked at you and thought oh my goodness, I’ve really hurt you.
‘But I carried that for a very long time. You getting better means so much to me.’
Jamie replied: ‘Without you doing that, I would never have known there was something wrong with my throat.’
Listen to Heart Breakfast with Jamie Theakston and Amanda Holden weekdays from 6.30am across the UK and on Global Player.
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