Sue Perkins is best known for the years she spent co-hosting The Great British Bake Off alongside her real-life best friend Mel Giedroyc.
Today, Sue is celebrating her 53rd birthday and she has more than one reason to be grateful, after she battled a brain tumour for years.
She only revealed the truth about her diagnosis in 2021, revealing she struggled with it for years away from the cameras.
However, the presenter only discovered the tumour when she underwent a health screening as part of her show Supersizers.
Sue still regularly goes to the hospital for check-ups to monitor the tumour, telling BBC Radio 4: “I have been through a very, very dark time since the tumour started to make its presence felt.”
Here is everything you need to know about Sue’s health battle.
Sue Perkins’ health diagnosis
(Image: PA)
Sue Perkins received a pituitary gland tumour diagnosis by doctors.
According to the Mayo Clinic: “Pituitary tumours are abnormal growths that develop in your pituitary gland.
“Some pituitary tumours result in too much of the hormones that regulate important functions of your body.
“Some pituitary tumours can cause your pituitary gland to produce lower levels of hormones.”
Most pituitary tumours are noncancerous, including Sue’s, and remain benign without growing and spreading to other parts of the body.
The pituitary gland is located just behind the eyes and helps to control body functions including reproduction, growth and blood pressure.
What has Sue Perkins said about her diagnosis?
(Image: PA)
Sue Perkins has been very candid about her diagnosis, speaking openly about it in a number of interviews.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4, she admitted the news from doctors had an “epic destruction” on her life.
The presenter explained: “I have been through a very, very dark time since the tumour started to make its presence felt.
“Sometimes it’s big and makes me mad, and sometimes it’s small and is in the background.
“Sometimes it screws up my hormones. I have various tests now to make sure the side effects aren’t too onerous.
“There’s always a delay for me. It’s only really now that I consider the epic destruction this tiny little rice-shaped thing in my pituitary gland has caused.”
Due to the gland’s connection to reproduction, it raised the concern that Sue would not be able to have children.
She said: “I don’t know if I would have gone on to have children, but as soon as someone says you can’t have something, you want it more than anything.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
