Kay Burley says her life has been 'haunted' by cancer in family but that she'd rather 'watch and wait' than undergo mastectomy

The Sky News newsreader, 57, reflected upon her many tragic losses while filming Channel 4's Celebrity Hunted for Stand Up To Cancer last summer.

In the six weeks leading up to the filming of the show, Kay lost three close girlfriends to the disease – one had breast cancer and the other two brain tumours.

Additionally, Kay lost her grandmother, aunt and mother to breast cancer, meaning her chances of contracting the disease herself were indisputably high.

Kay and her sister have both been tested for the BCRA gene mutation, which is the most well-known for breast cancer, with one in 500 being carriers, but neither of them tested positive.

They were told by doctors, however, that their chance of contracting the disease is 80 per cent.

Kay wrote in the Sunday Telegraph: "Once I knew about the high odds of developing cancer, I considered a double mastectomy. But after various consultations, I have chosen watchful waiting instead."

She keeps healthy to reduce her risk and, while admitting to still drinking alcohol, she stays away from cigarettes, keeps fit by running and doesn't allow herself to put on weight.

Kay goes for regular checks at the doctor – having alternating mammograms and ultrasounds every six months, which means any developments can be treated swiftly.

She writes: "I’ve had the odd moment of worry and several calcified lumps removed from my breasts. It never gets easier. The fear of 'Is it happening this time?' still takes hold, until the doctor reassures me.

"My biggest scare came three years ago when, just before I was due to host a fundraiser for breast cancer research, my doctor told me there was a shadow on my scan that he wasn’t happy with. He took a sample of tissue via a long needle, in a biopsy procedure.

"I put on my frock and went to the fundraiser as though I hadn’t a care in the world. A few days later, I got the all-clear."

According to Cancer Research UK, more than 360,000 new cases are recorded in the UK every year.

This staggeringly high number rings true for Kay, who's lost so many close friends and family members to cancer, but her biggest fear is that she won't see her son, Alexander, 25, start a family.

She says that when cancer does come for her, she will be ready.



Source: Read Full Article