Pamela Ballantine: high-profile TV personality reveals cancer diagnosis
The former Downtown presenter was told she had breast cancer in December
Last updated 4th Aug 2023
One of Northern Ireland's best-known TV personalities, Pamela Ballantine, has revealed she was diagnosed with breast cancer in December.
The popular UTV Life presenter, who began her career at Downtown Radio, had to have chemotherapy after an abnormality was found following a routine mammagram.
Speaking on a vodcast for UTV, Pamela said: "I was totally in a state of shock."
"I got called back to see Professor Kirk on the 29 December and he said that's breast cancer. That's cancer."
After the diagnosis, Pamela began chemo treatment during which she lost her hair, revealed it had been successful.
""The chemo was horrendous," she said.
"It attacks every bit of soft tissue you have. My eyes hurt, my ears, my hands were bleeding, my feet were bleeding."
In June this year she discovered the tumours had shrunk so much that they were not noticeable.
In July, she underwent surgery to remove lymph nodes and the tissue in her breast where the tumours had been, which confirmed the chemo had been effective.
Meanwhile, Pamela has appealed to people across Northern Ireland after her successful treatment for cancer.
"If you get called for any health screening, go," she said.