BBC News Presenter Jane Hill Reveals She’s Had A Mastectomy Following Breast Cancer Diagnosis

The broadcaster was off screen for six months as she underwent treatment for the disease.

BBC News presenter Jane Hill has revealed she has undergone a mastectomy after battling breast cancer.

The 50-year-old had the operation to remove her breast in November last year.

The broadcaster took to Twitter in May to explain why she had been off our screens for six months, revealing she had been undergoing treatment for the disease. 

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Jane Hill
BBC

On Wednesday’s Lorraine, Jane said she had decided against having reconstructive surgery as it would involve multiple surgeries.

Speaking to stand-in host Christine Lampard, Jane said: “I left work at the end of November. You just don’t know how it’s going to go. You hope the operation is going to go well.

“My surgeon was amazing. On the day of my diagnosis what she made me do was walk away thinking about all the positives in my case.

“I was super lucky, Christine. I didn’t want to start talking about it on social media in case there was hiccup. It wasn’t right for me for me to do updates.”

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Jane was a guest on Wednesday's Lorraine
Rex

The newscaster also confirmed that she has undergone a mastectomy. 

She said: “I had a mastectomy in November. I decided against reconstruction surgery. It wasn’t right for me, a reconstruction requires multiple surgeries. 

“I didn’t want to put myself through anymore anaesthetic. I do have a massive great scar across my chest.”

She also credited her healthy lifestyle - and love of broccoli - for saving her life.  

“Having lived a healthy lifestyle helped with my recovery,” she said. “I’m a regular gym-goer and I definitely realised with hindsight it has helped my recovery. Eating broccoli for 25 years has helped.”

The journalist initially kept news of her diagnosis private, explaining her absence from the BBC newsroom after returning to the BBC News at One in May. 

Following her on-screen return, she received an outpouring of support, and later thanked viewers for their support on Twitter.

She tweeted: “Overwhelmed by so many lovely back-to-work messages. I just want to say that my return wouldn’t have been possible without our NHS.

“Sending love & thanks to the numerous @NHSuk staff who spotted my breast cancer, treated it, and continue to look after me. Thank you all.”