The 46-year-old has had half her lung removed, but is determined to get back to work when she is healthy.

Mel McLaughlin has spoken about her lung cancer battle after losing her sister to the same disease. Source: 7News

Channel 7 star Mel McLaughlin has revealed she has been battling lung cancer — the same disease that killed her sister. The 46-year-old sports presenter usually delivers the nightly updates on the network’s Sydney 6pm bulletin, but she’s been noticeably absent for the last few months.

Mel revealed to Channel 7 anchor Mark Ferguson about her private health battle on Wednesday after he acknowledged viewers had been asking about her “empty chair”. She explained that it’s the same cancer that claimed her big sister Tara’s life in 2019.

“It’s very traumatic. It’s very triggering,” Mel said.

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“It’s just a lot of emotions, and also, you don’t want to worry anyone.”

Mel revealed she was first diagnosed in December as the summer cricket series kicked off.

Even though the news was serious, she tried to keep everything under wraps for as long as possible and keep working.

Mel even delayed having surgery so that she could host Melbourne’s Boxing Day test and Sydney’s Pink Test.

Mel has had half of her lung removed. Source: Instagram/Mel McLaughlin/Channel 7

She was shuffling back and forth between the cricket field and the hospital to get tests done before going in for an operation.

Mel said on Wednesday that she has had surgery to remove half of her lung.

Devastation strikes family twice

The presenter recounted the harrowing conversation she had to have with her parents after finding out about her diagnosis, delaying telling them until 48 hours before her life-saving surgery.

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

Mel’s sister Tara died at the age of 39.

The police officer and mum-of-two had never smoked, according to Woman’s Day, but the cancer came from a genetic mutation.

Mel’s sister Tara died at the age of 39. She was a mother of two who had never smoked. Source: 7News

“I cried, and then I laughed, because it’s like, is someone having [a laugh]. Is this a joke?” Mel said after finding out about her own diagnosis.

Mel called Tara a “spectacular human being” and said that it’s been tough to go through the grieving process.

Surgeon Dr Levi Bassin told 7News that he suspects a different genetic mutation caused Mel’s cancer.

Mel’s was also detected early, something she said shows Tara was “looking out for her”.

“That’s what big sisters do,” she said.

That’s why Mel has spoken out.

She wants others to have the chance she has been given through early detection.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in Australia, according to The Cancer Council.

It accounts for almost one in five cancer deaths in the country.

Fans send well-wishes to Mel

Fans have been expressing their concern for her welfare on her social media pages, as she hasn’t posted anything since Jane McGrath Day at the start of the year, which was her last major work event.

“I hope you are ok Mel, we’ve been missing seeing you on the TV hoping you’ll return soon,” said one.

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“Where are you Mel? We miss you on our screens,” added another.

What’s happened since Mel McLaughlin left Channel 7?

Just before Mel took her leave of absence, Channel 7 announced that longtime presenter Matt White would be returning.

“Matt’s return to Seven is a homecoming for one of the most respected voices in Australian sport,” the network’s director of news and current affairs, Ray Kuka, said in January.

“His reputation, knowledge and energy make him the perfect fit, while his deep understanding of the NRL, combined with his ability to cut through the noise and explain the game with clarity and authority, will strengthen our formidable newsroom.”

The network said he would be focusing on the 2026 NRL season as well as the Rugby League World Cup in October and November.

News.com.au was told by industry insiders that Mel was on approved leave for six weeks and was expected to return in February.

But she was absent from the media contingent that travelled to Las Vegas to kick off the NRL season.

She told Channel 7 the recovery from the cancer and the surgery has been slow, but she’s keen on getting awareness out and eventually get back to work.

SOURCE: https://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/channel-7-presenter-mel-mclaughlin-reveals-cancer-battle-after-vanishing-from-screens-traumatic-075421262.html