Clare Balding, TV presenter, battling with thyroid cancer

Clare first noticed the lump on her throat last year while watching herself on television at Christmas. She had it drained by the doctor and was later operated in April to remove the cyst.

The second operation was performed to remove the thyroid gland. She has 12 stitches in her neck now, and will be treated with radioactive iodine in July.

“So far there have been no real side effects," she said, "I've been wheezing slightly but other than that I feel fine. My main worry is my voice because that is what I do.”

She added, “At the moment I sound like Kermit.”

Currently, she is taking proper rest at her parent`s stables in Kinsclere, Newbury, Berkshire.

“It's been gorgeous weather, I've been sleeping well and relaxing,” she said. "It helps me to be very practical about it."

She said that her civil partner, Alison Arnold, whom she married three years ago, has been very calm and supportive to her.

Clare’s positive attitude
Clare states, "The doctors say it won't kill me, so it won't. If I worry, it will just make it worse."

The Cambridge educated, popular horseracing presenter at the BBC is all set to work at Epsom for the Derby coming up in 8 days` time. She has also decided what she would be wearing for the occasion- a high collar jacket to cover her neck.

She joked, “It looks like I have had my throat slit, but it won't stop me being at the Derby." But she had to pull out of presenting the Challenge Cup quarter finals, rugby league, because her voice is still croaky.

Each year, about 1600 new thyroid cases are reported in UK.