Nick Robinson, 59, who was diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumour during 2015, said having the support of a Macmillan speech and language therapist helped him to deal with his fears.
He underwent surgery to remove the tumour on his lung and told how the therapist gave him the confidence to speak out about his experience.
Robinson said: “When I’d had my operation, I lost my voice and didn’t dare talk to anyone about it. I thought my career was over, but I did talk to my Macmillan nurse. He was an incredibly good listener and encouraged me to explain what I was scared of and talked me through what I wanted to know.”
Comedian, singer and actor Bill Bailey lost his dearest friend of 30 years, Sean Lock, to lung cancer aged 58, in August 2021.
He has spoken about their friendship and ways they confided in each other as they went through their battle.
“Sean and I often went walking together in the countryside and during these long rambles our conversations would range far and wide over all manner of subjects, from just trying to make each other laugh, to more cerebral and in-depth discussions, and all points in between,” he said. “I think men often avoid talking about serious subjects.”