Balding is 'positive' over cancer

BBC sports presenter Clare Balding is feeling "positive" after receiving treatment for thyroid cancer, her publicist has said.

The 38-year-old has already had two operations which have removed a cyst and her thyroid gland.

Her agent Annalisa Balding said: "She is feeling so positive about this, she has not got a negative bone in her body. She feels fine."

She is set to receive radioactive iodine treatment next month.

Balding has been forced to pull out of presenting Saturday's rugby league Challenge Cup quarter-final.

'Sexy voice'

Her agent said she is currently suffering from a "very sexy and husky voice".

THYROID CANCER

• A rare cancer - 1,750 cases per year in the UK
• In 2007, 340 people died from the condition
• Having an under or over-active thyroid does not increase risk - but having nodules or an enlarged thyroid does
• Symptoms include a lump in the neck, a hoarse voice, sore throat or difficulty swallowing that does not get better

In an interview with the Daily Mail, Balding revealed she spotted the lump on her throat at Christmas after watching herself on TV.

After having it drained, the doctor told her she would need a second operation, but Balding refused to panic.

"I figured if it wasn't going to kill me, it could wait until after the Grand National," she said.

"The doctors say it won't kill me, so it won't. If I worry it will just make it worse."

The presenter has already decided she will still attend the Derby next week and has picked an outfit that will hide her stitches.

Last month, Balding apologised after making fun of Grand National winner Liam Treadwell's teeth live on air.

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
BBC Health: cancer
Daily Mail: Clare Balding interview
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