BBC presenter Victoria Derbyshire was left fearing for her life after being diagnosed with cancer. 10 years on from her diagnosis, the 56-year-old reflected on her terrifying ordeal in a new interview. Victoria discovered an unusual change in her right nipple and decided to seek medical advice when she noticed her breast looked "odd". Just days later, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, despite not having a lump. Victoria recalled how the cancer had spread "all over" her breast, necessitating intensive chemotherapy and targeted radiotherapy.

At the time, Victoria confessed that she believed she "was going to die". The Newsnight host underwent 301 days of treatment following her diagnosis in 2015 and was eventually given the all clear with an 11 per cent chance of the cancer returning. Marking a decade since her life-threatening diagnosis, Victoria courageously reflected on the challenging period. "I thought I was going to die," she revealed to The Sunday Times magazine. In the weeks after her diagnosis, Victoria took her family on holiday as she feared it could be her final one.

"We went on holiday to Barcelona when I didn't know if my cancer was going to be treatable," she disclosed. Victoria admitted to taking "a million pictures" and insisted being in all of them.

The presenter initially kept her diagnosis a secret from her husband Mark and their two sons, as she went into "practical mode". However, they plan to celebrate the significant 10-year milestone with a "big blowout" celebration.

Praising her husband for his support throughout her ordeal, Victoria said: "He did step up, big time. Obviously while I was being treated he was basically a single parent."

Victoria lost her hair during her treatment and chose to wear a wig because she "didn't want people to feel sorry for her".

Despite the harrowing time, Victoria's diagnosis also brought about positive changes within the family. After being together for 17 years, Victoria and Mark decided to tie the knot. Mark had proposed to Victoria years earlier when she was pregnant with their first child, but they never set a date for the wedding.

Earlier this year, Victoria supported an NHS campaign encouraging women to attend their routine mammograms. The latest NHS data for 2023/24 revealed that only around two-thirds of women are attending their mammogram appointments.

She begged: "I thought I wouldn't get to grow old with my partner, Mark. I'm still here thanks to the skill of the NHS, and 2025 will be 10 years since I was diagnosed. Breast screening might just help save your life. Please go.

Victoria added: "I've had breast screening multiple times. For me it was painless and I was happy to be screened. My motivation was to make sure any irregularities were picked up – because the earlier breast cancer is detected, the greater the chance of survival."