Famous TV Host Reveals His Wife, 30, Is Diagnosed With Rare Cancer, Just Months After Birth of First Child

Last year, his wife Liz, 30, had experienced what he describes as a “petrifying” seizure, which led to the discovery of the tumor. It was a low-grade Oligodendroglioma, which is a central nervous system (CNS) tumor, meaning it begins in the brain or spinal cord, according to the National Cancer Institute. The tumors are often difficult to remove.

“My wife was just looking through me like nothing was there,” he said. “I really wish I knew that was normal because at the time I thought the worst.”

An Unexpected Challenge

Prior to the unexpected turn, the popular English media personality, who works for the U.K.’s ITV News Central, shared that he had “an odd sense that all was going to well” for the family.

“Life was very good back in 2022,” he said. “Liz had given birth to our first baby, I’d got this exciting new job in the Midlands and we had found a house that was to become our family home.”

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When Liz’s CT scan revealed the mass on her brain, they were told it was an infection or a tumor. Choosing to believe it was the former, Salisbury-Jones says they convinced themselves it would resolve with antibiotics.

Instead, Liz spent Christmas in the hospital as they began to learn all about her diagnosis and their new normal.

Brain Cancer Treatment

Thankfully, the tumor is slow-growing, and she will be able to raise their son. However, with the seizure risk, she won’t be able to be alone with Reuben. She started chemotherapy treatment in May and takes anti-epilepsy drugs. Salisbury-Jones says “Liz is handling it like a trooper” and most importantly, has had “significant shrinkage” of the tumor.

The anchor thought he would find his sports job “more trivial” amid this journey, but says it’s done just the opposite.

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“It reminded me of how important it is for so many people and what an escape it is.”

Salisbury-Jones also expresses thanks to his community.

“The kindness we’ve found on this journey has been incredible,” he added.

Living With Cancer

Some cancers do not have a cure, but there’s so much hope these days — it’s  important to realize you can live with cancer.

Plus, having the right support can be life-changing. As a caregiver, attending as many doctor visits is helpful so that you can help take notes on various treatment options and what to expect moving forward. Second or third opinions with doctors are also highly essential throughout the cancer journey.

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In a previous interview with SurvivorNet, Dr. Jayanthi Lea suggested that caregivers ask and keep track of the following types of questions:

“What should be done in between these visits? Any changes in treatment plans? Any toxicities that we need to look out for? Changes in dietary habits, exercise, etc,” Dr. Lea said.

How to Be a Better Caregiver for Your Loved One

The cancer center where the patient is getting treatment can also help refer a social worker or patient navigator to assist you. These workers can help assist with insurance claims and any other part of the experience that may seem overwhelming.

“Patient navigators can function differently at different hospitals,” Dr. Kathie-Ann Joseph, a surgical oncologist at NYU Langone Health’s Perlmutter Cancer Center, told SurvivorNet. “We have a really wonderful program at [NYU] where we use lay navigators, meaning they’re not nurses — although you can use nurses or social workers, that pretty much help newly diagnosed cancer patients through the continuum of care.”

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