Announcement as she backs health campaign

Caroline Aherne is fighting lung cancer.

The news broke as the Royle Family and Mrs Merton creator launched a £3.4million bid to improve cancer care in Manchester.

She revealed that she has been undergoing treatment in the city, but did not want to speak more about her battle.

It is not the first time Aherne, 50, has fought the disease. Both she and her brother, Patrick, were both born with a rare cancer of the retina. It was fully treated, but Caroline was left almost blind in one eye. She has also been treated for bladder cancer.

Speaking at the launch of the Macmillan Cancer Improvement Partnership, she told the Manchester Evening News said: 'I’ve had cancer and my brother’s had cancer and we know how it affects people.

'We’re lucky in Manchester to have some of the best bits of cancer care... but even the best doctors, nurses and managers on earth aren’t going to be able to understand what needs improving unless people affected by cancer in Manchester get involved and tell them what needs to change.

'I’m really glad that I can do my bit to encourage Manchester people to speak up about where things do go wrong with cancer care.'

Manchester recently came bottom out of 150 areas in England for premature deaths from cancer.

Nicola Cook, from Macmillan Cancer Support, said: 'We’re delighted that Caroline is supporting the partnership. We know that its success hinges on the involvement of people affected by cancer in Manchester.

'Caroline’s one of Manchester’s own. She’s loved here and people identify with her. We hope that if people see that Caroline is sitting down and talking to us then maybe they’ll know that they can too.'

Published: 13 May 2014