Mel McLaughlin speaks about her lung cancer diagnosis and life-saving surgery as she fights to raise awareness for the disease – Tonight on 7NEWS, Sydney sports anchor and 7SPORT host Mel McLaughlin shared the personal news with viewers that she has been diagnosed with lung cancer and underwent life-saving surgery in January to remove half of her left lung – a decade after her sister Tara died from the disease.
A fit, energetic, and lifelong non-smoker, the much-respected host of Seven’s cricket coverage opened up about her private battle in an emotional interview with friend and colleague Mark Ferguson.
Mel’s lung tumour was caught early and incidentally at Stage 2. By luck, her surgeon says. But for Mel: “I think that was my big sister. Maybe I got lucky. I don’t know. I definitely think she’s with me.”
An intensely private person, Mel has decided to share her story for one reason: awareness.
Lung cancer is the fifth most diagnosed cancer in the nation but Australia’s deadliest.
The classic assumption that every patient diagnosed with lung cancer smoked is unfair with the Cancer Council saying it is caused by abnormal cells growing in an uncontrolled way.
“The reason why I wanted to do it is not to talk about me, and I’m not just saying this,”
– Mel said.
“It’s awareness. It’s the biggest cancer killer in the country. It’s got a terrible stigma. I feel like I owe it to my sister. I just owe it to people that maybe could get something out of this. Smoker, non-smoker – no one deserves lung cancer.”
Seven’s Director of News and Current Affairs, Ray Kuka:
“Mel is incredibly private, tough and no-nonsense while underplaying anything involving herself, so when she revealed the news about her battle we were in shock. I am so proud of how she’s handled the toughest weeks of her life and relieved we could support her in private to get to this incredible outcome where she is on the mend and tackling treatment with her classic Mel McLaughlin resolve. She has our unwavering support as she focuses on recovery. We miss her presence and humour so can’t wait to welcome her back to the news desk, but at a pace that works for her – as will her many loyal viewers. We will of course continue to give Mel whatever support and time she needs for her journey to full health.”
Seven’s Director of Sport, Chris Jones:
“Mel is an incredibly resilient person and a much-loved member of our 7SPORT team and as expected, has attacked her treatment with strength, humility and of course, her trademark humour. As has always been the plan and if she’s ready, Mel will play a critical role in the network’s Commonwealth Games coverage from Glasgow, doing what she loves most – being in the thick of the action with our golden Australian team. We look forward to her sharing more of those moments with viewers on Seven’s cricket and Rugby League World Cup coverage later this year. Now Mel has bravely chosen to share what she’s been facing these past few months, we ask for everyone to be respectful while she focuses on her health and wellbeing.”
At Mel’s request, please include links in any articles to:
Lung Foundation Australia – Lung Foundation Australia: Together We’re Making A Difference
Cancer Council – https://give.cancercouncil.com.au/
FULL TRANSCRIPT
Mel: “I was diagnosed with lung cancer in December, so that led to surgery. I’ve had half my lung cut out.
Fergo: Hard to believe what you’ve just heard from one so fit, so full of energy, and a lifelong non-smoker.
Mel: It’s just very traumatic. It’s very triggering. It’s just a lot of emotions. And also, you don’t want to worry anyone.
Fergo: Especially her family. Because Mel lost her big sister, Tara, to lung cancer a decade ago. She was a mum of two. She was just 39. To pass that news onto family around Christmas time is very tough. But you’re trying to tell your mum and dad who’ve already lost her daughter and you’re trying to tell your nephews who’ve already lost their mum.
Mel: Yeah, because in our family … And I don’t want anyone to think that this is … In our family, lung cancer meant death. We have one example and we lost her.
Fergo: It must be so confronting to look at your own tumour. Even more confronting to be back in this place. Going to hospital for major surgery is tough enough. But you were going into the very room, to the very ward, to the very area, where you’d watched your sister battle and where you’d lost your sister. That must have been so, so tough.
Mel: I cried and then I laughed because it’s like, is someone having … Is this a joke?
Fergo: There’s another extraordinary twist to this battle, a reason we’re back at the SCG because Mel delayed her own surgery. She insisted on hosting Melbourne’s Boxing Day test and then Sydney’s pink test. She wanted to work. She needed time to process.
Mel: Everyone, unfortunately, touched by cancer, but everyone is doing their bit.
Fergo: On Jane McGrath Day at the SCG, she helped raise awareness and money to fight cancer. While in between stints in the middle, Mel rushed to get last minute blood tests. Her own operation was just a day away.
Mel: I did the pregame. I’ll be honest, I didn’t watch much cricket that day. I went out to a pathology centre, which was closed. I was like, “Oh my God.” So, I’ve come back, done the lunch break.
Fergo: So, on one of the biggest days of our sporting calendar, you are hosting, you’re in the middle, shuttling back and forth to hospital to get blood tests, and you’ve got major surgery the very next Day.
Mel: Yeah.
Fergo: Do you look back and go, “What the hell was I thinking?”
Mel: I often do that Fergo, as you know. Look, the intention was good. I know it probably is a bit crazy.
Fergo : Crazy days that have now given way to steady recovery. Mel now has three big goals to get better.
Mel: Recovery is slow, but good. And they’re happy for now.
Fergo: To get the word out.
Mel: The reason why I wanted to do it is not to talk about me, and I’m not just saying this. It’s awareness. It’s the biggest cancer killer in the country. It’s got a terrible stigma. I feel like I owe it to my sister. I just owe it to people that maybe could get something out of this.
Fergo: And to get back to work.
Mel: Obviously always watching the news.
Fergo: Really?
Mel: Wouldn’t miss it.
Fergo: I’ve sensed you out there. Selfishly, from my point of view, when are you coming back?
Mel: Well, I have missed you. I missed everyone, obviously. I don’t know. Are you free next week, maybe next week?
Fergo: Maybe next week. Well, there’s no hurry, but we’d love to see you back when you’re ready.
Fergo: She’s determined to host the Commonwealth Games, then the Rugby League World Cup. Dr. Levi and his team also have a job to do. To work out why two sisters, both non-smokers, face the same enemy.
Dr Levi Bassin: We look at the genetics, and we don’t think they’re related, but they must be, I would think. It’s too weird otherwise.
Fergo: Both doctor and patient know what was different. Mel’s tumour was detected early. Tara’s too late.
Dr Levi Bassin: And so it’s usually stage three or four where surgery doesn’t have as much of a role. So, we really want to catch it when it’s early like with you. And that was luck.
Fergo: Mel knows luck was on her side, but she also truly believes-
Mel: I think that was my big sister. Maybe I got lucky. I don’t know. I definitely think she’s with me.
Fergo: Lucky out for you.
Mel: It’s what they do, big sisters and big brothers.
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Mel McLaughlin speaks about her lung cancer diagnosis and life-saving surgery as she fights to raise awareness for the disease
