As part of an update on his stage four bowel cancer, George Alagiah revealed he has undergone more than 100 rounds of chemotherapy and has spent much of the last 18 months in ‘extreme pain.’
The BBC newsreader, who is still on the air, was diagnosed with Bowel Cancer in 2014 and again in 2017.
He has now explained that he has a ‘tumour site’ at the base of his back and that lying down sometimes makes it worse.
In an interview with The Telegraph, he also corrected reports that he had undergone 17 rounds of chemotherapy, claiming that the figure was closer to 100.
George takes low doses three-quarters of the year and high doses the rest of the time.
He said of the pain: ‘The thing about bowel cancer is, it is all about poo and bums, and people don’t like talking about them.’
‘But I have discomfort from my mouth to my bum. And that becomes acute after three days of chemo. Usually, by about a week later, it is beginning to be better.’
However, the legendary broadcaster is determined to continue presenting BBC One’s News at Six, claiming that being in the studio mentally revitalizes him.
When asked what happens if the pain strikes while he’s broadcasting, he told the outlet, ‘It’s incredible what adrenaline can do.’ Nature created it to help you get through anything.’
The BBC News journalist returned to the broadcaster earlier this year after leaving in 2021 to pursue treatment.
He previously stated that the time since his diagnosis has allowed him to reflect on having to be vulnerable. When asked recently on the Desperately Seeking Wisdom podcast what wisdom he would give, he said:
‘I think it would be to constantly ask the question, ‘What is it we can do together?’
George was diagnosed with bowel cancer for the first time in 2014. Later, he stated that it had spread to his lymph nodes and liver.
After making progress against the disease, he returned to presenting duties in 2015, saying he was a “richer person”.
His cancer returned in December 2017, and he underwent additional treatment before returning to work.
After testing positive for Covid-19 in March, doctors discovered in April 2020 that cancer had spread to his lungs.
