Mel McLaughlin: 7NEWS sports presenter reveals shock cancer battle that’s kept her absent for months

Seven sports presenter Mel McLaughlin has shared the reason behind her sudden absence, revealing she was diagnosed with lung cancer a decade after her sister died from the same disease.

The 46-year-old sat down with close friend and colleague Mark Ferguson to speak about her private health battle that, sadly, her family had already endured once before.

McLaughlin’s sister Tara died from lung cancer in 2015 at the age of 39. Now, she herself is missing half a lung after undergoing a life-saving surgery.

“It’s just very traumatic, it’s very triggering, it’s just a lot of emotions,” McLaughlin said.

“In our family lung cancer meant death. We had one example, and we lost her.”

McLaughlin admitted she had waited until just 48 hours before her scheduled surgery to inform her parents of the unthinkable news, in the hope they’d lose less sleep over it.

After being diagnosed in December, the presenter’s last day on the job was the third day of Sydney’s Ashes test — poignantly, a day dedicated to raising money for cancer.

“I did the pre-game on day three of the SCG test. I went out to a pathology centre, which was closed, then raced back for the lunch break,” she said.

“I often look back and wonder ‘what was I thinking?’ The intention was good, I know it probably is a bit crazy.”

Upon having the news confirmed that she would be the second daughter in her family to battle the dreaded disease, McLaughlin said she “cried and then I laughed, thinking, ‘is this a joke?’”

While the popular sports figure is on the road to recovery, she still carries pain and finds herself struggling to sleep at night.

McLaughlin has chosen to speak openly about her experience to encourage others to get checked if they feel something isn’t right. Fortunately, her tumour was detected early.

“Recovery is slow but good. The reason why I’m talking is not to make it about me, but awareness. It’s the biggest cancer killer in the country. It’s got a terrible stigma. I feel like I owe it to my sister and I owe it to people who could get something out of this,” McLaughlin added.

The popular presenter, who has been with the Seven Network for a decade, has covered some of Australia’s biggest sporting events, including the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

She also hosted the 2016 Summer Olympics, 2018 Winter Olympics and the 2018 Commonwealth Games, as well as the network’s coverage of the Australian Swimming Championships, the 2017 Rugby League World Cup and the recent Ashes series.

Seven’s Director of News and Current Affairs, Ray Kuka, said McLaughlin has the network’s full support as she works towards a return to the news desk.

“Mel is incredibly private, tough and no-nonsense while underplaying anything involving herself, so when she revealed the news about her battle we were in shock,” Mr Kuka said.

“I am so proud of how she’s handled the toughest weeks of her life and relieved we could support her in private to get to this incredible outcome where she is on the mend and tackling treatment with her classic Mel McLaughlin resolve.

“She has our unwavering support as she focuses on recovery.

Despite recent incorrect media reports, the presenter was always on the Seven’s Commonwealth Games team and will be involved in the Rugby League World Cup.

She will also work towards a return to her regular presenting duties on 7NEWS in Sydney.