BBC presenter Victoria Derbyshire reveals that she has breast cancer

The award-winning journalist has said she will continue with her show for as long as possible

Victoria Derbyshire (Association for International Broadcasting/Creative Commons)

BBC broadcaster Victoria Derbyshire has revealed she has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

The 46-year-old made her condition public on Twitter, and said that she will undergo a mastectomy in the coming weeks.

Derbyshire said she will continue heading her eponymous BBC Two current affairs programme “as much as possible in the months ahead."

Fans, colleagues and journalists outside the BBC quickly responded to the award-winning journalist’s news by flooding her with messages of support.

A BBC spokesman said: “We wish Victoria a full and speedy recovery and look forward to having her back full time on the programme as soon as possible.”

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in the UK and can be treated if caught early, according to the NHS.

Symptoms can include a lump, a change in size, or dimples on the breast; changes to the nipples including discharge, a rash or inversion; or swelling in either armpit.

Almost 50,000 women were diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in 2011, with eight out of 10 who get the disease aged over 50.

Additional reporting by PA