Television presenter Kirsty Gallacher has disclosed that she is awaiting an MRI scan to find out whether her radiotherapy treatment has been effective against her brain tumour.
The 50-year-old appeared on Channel 5's Vanessa Show earlier today, where she spoke to Vanessa Feltz about her ongoing health battle.
"I found out I had basically a brain tumour, an acoustic neuroma in my right ear," she explained.
"I went deaf a few years ago, and I had radiotherapy last year, so I've got my MRI coming up soon where we'll know whether it's worked."
The former GB News presenter expressed cautious optimism about the procedure's outcome, noting that while success rates are encouraging, the treatment aims to shrink the growth rather than eliminate it entirely.
Ms Gallacher first received her diagnosis during the summer of 2021, when doctors identified a benign acoustic neuroma situated within the inner canal of her right ear.
The broadcaster has previously explained that the tumour cannot be surgically removed due to the significant risks involved.
Speaking on Loose Women, she described the procedure as "very dangerous" to attempt.
The broadcaster has previously explained that the tumour cannot be surgically removed due to the significant risks involved
|CHANNEL 5
Her symptoms began suddenly when she lost hearing in her right ear.
"A couple of years ago, I literally woke up and I couldn't really hear out of my right ear and I thought, 'Oh, that's a bit odd'," she recalled.
Initially believing the issue was related to recent air travel, she sought medical attention and was treated as an emergency case due to concerns it could be a brain tumour.
The presenter revealed that her tinnitus has deteriorated significantly since discussing her condition a year ago.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Kirsty Gallacher after running the London Marathon in 2019
|GETTY
"The tinnitus is far worse than it was sadly when I was here a year ago," she told Ms Feltz.
Medical professionals have recommended she use a hearing aid, but Ms Gallacher has chosen not to take this step.
"I'm not there yet, I don't think. I'm managing it fine," she said.
However, she acknowledged the emotional toll of her hearing difficulties, particularly in challenging acoustic settings.
Kirsty Gallacher's symptoms began suddenly when she lost hearing in her right ear
|GETTY
"I do find it upsetting... sometimes if I'm in an acoustically difficult environment, say I was out for dinner last night, noisy environment, I have to leave sometimes. I get really upset."
She added that she now relies on lip-reading because her hearing loss in her right ear has become substantial.
During a court appearance last year following a speeding offence that resulted in a six-month driving ban, Gallacher became emotional while reading a statement about her health situation.
"I have a brain tumour - an acoustic neuroma - it is benign, but it's growing very fast," she said through tears.
"They have monitored it for the last three years. I am now doing radiotherapy. We don't know if the radiotherapy is going to work, if it will shrink [the tumour] or not. It's a bit of a 'suck it and see' situation."
She spoke of the demands of balancing her treatment with everyday responsibilities. "I'm an ordinary mum with plates spinning. With my health, it's going to be very difficult," she added.