James Valentine will take another break from his afternoon program on ABC Radio Sydney after a reoccurrence of his oesophageal cancer, this time in his omentum. James shared the news with Drive presenter Dom Knight and in a personal article on the ABC website.

James said:

“As of next week, I will be beginning chemotherapy and immunotherapy. A big blast of 21st century science, that hopefully, will scour it all out and leave me in a position to heal and recover.

Immunotherapy is the great hope of everyone these days. I’m eligible, as in it’s considered that it’s very likely to be effective in my case.

I won’t be able to keep working so I’ll be off air now for at least three months. Side effects of the treatment range from mildly irritating to horrendous, so I think I’ll just deal with them. Best I focus on this one thing, and give the medicine and the process its best chance.

I’ve been back playing saxophone and doing some gigs and some live theatre shows as well which, from my point of view on the stage, have been wonderful! So they too will be put on hold for a while until this cancer has abated.”

James hopes to continue presenting episodes of Upbeat on ABC Jazz.

We wish him all the best for the treatment and a speedy recovery.