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Brave BBC columnist loses cancer battle

Posted: 01/02/05 By: Jemima Kiss

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BBC News Online has been flooded with tributes to journalist Ivan Noble who died yesterday, aged 37, after a two-and-a-half-year battle against cancer.

Mr Noble had written candidly about his experiences since being diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour in August 2002.

He had built a loyal audience of readers as he described the trauma of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and three brain operations. He also shared his joy at marrying his girlfriend, sharing two more precious years with his young daughter and taking the decision to have another child. The couple's son was born in July last year .

Martin Ledwick, senior cancer information nurse at the CancerBACUP charity, told dotJournalism that Ivan had inspired his readers.

"He was very open about his cancer and his hopes and fears. This helped de-mystify the illness and bring it to a wide audience through the BBC website."

"The dialogue that opened up between Ivan and the readers was remarkable," said Pete Clifton, editor of BBC News Interactive.

"We will all miss Ivan and his column, but I think his humour, bravery and compassion will leave a lasting impression on us all."

His last entry on 30 January drew 300,000 readers in just one day, as Mr Noble described how writing his column had helped him fight back against his feeling of helplessness after diagnosis.

He praised the medical staff who helped him through his illness, and thanked colleagues and friends at the BBC for their support.

"What I wanted to do with this column was try to prove that it was possible to survive and beat cancer and not to be crushed by it," he wrote.

"I have not been defeated."

More than 100 readers posted their comments to the BBC site that day, including journalist Tony Belshaw: "I have been struck by your marvellous professionalism and grace under pressure Ivan. I know your words will have carried around the globe and enlightened many many thousands of people."

Other readers told Ivan that he had inspired them to give up smoking, and said that his insight had helped them in their work for the health service.

BBC.co.uk has published a video interview with Mr Noble from December 2004, along with tributes from readers and an appreciation by friend and colleague Simon Fraser.

The full archive is available at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4211475.stm

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