Jonnie Irwin 'open minded' with treatment after terminal cancer diagnosis
Jonnie Irwin has opened up about his approach to having terminal cancer, suggesting that he believes that he has exceeded the initial prognosis due to "a mixture of things".
The presenter, 50 - who is best known for having fronted A Place in the Sun - announced two years ago that he'd been diagnosed with terminal cancer. Jonnie said he had the diagnosis in 2020 and was initially given six months to live.
He has spoken about his experience in the years since, including having shared that he was diagnosed with lung cancer which had spread to his brain. And he's referenced undergoing treatment like chemotherapy in updates.
Jonnie Irwin announced two years ago that he had been diagnosed with terminal cancer (Instagram)Jonnie further shared his thoughts with Jane McLelland - who is the author of How to Starve Cancer - recently. He appeared as the first guest on her podcast Conversations with Jane McLelland, which launched just a few days ago.
During the episode, Jonnie spoke about his own mindset. He commented at one point: "One of the reasons I think I'm still here is I'm not a cancer patient. It's always there at the back of your mind but I'm living with cancer, not dying with cancer. Every time I talk about how strong I feel, I end up in hospital the next day, so I'm not gonna curse it [though]."
Jonnie Irwin will record video messages for wife and kids to watch after he dies
Shortly after suggesting that each cancer patient "differs," he said: "I'm convinced the reason I'm here is from a mixture of things. And things working cohesively." The guest added: "It's many people's help and it's many approaches".
Jonnie said he decided to have his "own diet," rather than follow ones promoted elsewhere. He said that his includes vegetable smoothies and "a little fruit but not too much". He later went on to discuss seeking a variety of treatments.
The presenter spoke about his approach following the diagnosis on a podcast recently (instagram/ @jonnieirwintv)He appeared to say: "If I just listened to the prognosis I'm perennially given, I'd be curled up in a ball and crying myself to death. But I feel much more empowered and much more educated that there's a sphere of help, and help from the NHS is a massive part of that sphere, but there's also bits and bobs that I can do. [...] I'm doing hyperbaric oxygen, [intravenous] Vitamin C, Reiki. [...] I feel great after it."
"I'm so much more open minded [now]. Probably because I've got a gun to my head. It's a rich kaleidoscope of help that I'm getting and I'm pursuing and I will continue to do that. You've got to look into alternatives [and] do your own research," he commented whilst on the podcast.
Jane - who noted on the podcast that any potential treatment should be discussed with a patient's doctor - clarified: "Complimentary or integrative, not [alternative]. I think there's always a misconception that anybody who's providing information for a different form of treatment is encouraging people to leave conventional treatment [but] I'm very much 'let's just merge everything together'."
Father-of-three Jonnie later promoted having a "positive attitude," with him saying: "At the very least you're giving people hope. And as a patient that can add weeks and months. This positive attitude buys you days, buys you weeks and buys you moments with people like [my kids]."
Macmillan offers confidential support to people living with cancer and their loved ones. If you need to talk, call us on 0808 808 0000.
You can find information about cancer, including symptoms of various forms and support resources, through the NHS website.
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