Carol Klein, a renowned gardening expert and broadcaster, is a familiar face on the beloved BBC show Gardeners’ World, where she regularly appears alongside fellow TV favorites Monty Don and Adam Frost.
However, until recently, many viewers and fans of the show were unaware that Carol had been quietly battling breast cancer after receiving her diagnosis earlier this year. In a candid interview with The Times, the 79-year-old former teacher opened up about how she navigated the shocking news and the subsequent medical treatments.
Carol Klein’s Breast Cancer Journey
In an interview published last month, Carol Klein shared her honest perspective on her breast cancer diagnosis. “I didn’t think, ‘Why me?’ when I got breast cancer. I thought, ‘Why not me?’ One in seven women face it, so it could easily be me. I had a double mastectomy and carried on in my garden.”
Carol expressed how fortunate she felt to receive the all-clear but remained mindful of those still battling the disease. “I was lucky. A couple of years ago, I noticed something unusual about my breast, but the local doctor wasn’t too concerned. Then I noticed the nipple had become depressed, so I went to the hospital for tests earlier this year. Both sides were cancerous.”
She added, “I got the all-clear just after finishing a podcast at the Chelsea Flower Show. I was thrilled.”
I haven’t been overly jubilant because I’ve heard so many worse cancer stories,” Carol Klein shared. “But I do believe gardening is a wonderful way to stay calm and carry on—it’s incredibly soothing.”
In her interview with The Times, where she also discussed her latest book Hortobiography, Carol emphasized the importance of gardening for people of all ages. “We need to reconnect children with the earth. Every child should learn how to garden, and older adults should be encouraged to keep gardening as well.”
She added, “Gardening is great for both mental and physical health, even if it sometimes leads to the occasional back problem.”
Carol Reveals how Gardening has helped her Fight the disease
Carol Klein understands more than most the profound impact a garden can have on one’s well-being.
“The breast cancer and its treatment haven’t really held me back,” says the 79-year-old, who underwent a double mastectomy. “It was wonderful just having the garden there. I got up and started gradually going back out to it. Even from inside the house, you can feel its presence, can’t you?”
“When you’re in the garden, you become completely absorbed in it. It’s been proven that physically touching plants and having your hands in the soil improves your mood. I’d find it very difficult to live without a garden,” she adds.
Reveals her Future Plans
Gardeners’ World presenter Carol Klein has opened up about her future plans following her battle with breast cancer and surgery. In a recent episode of the BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Podcast, the 79-year-old expressed her gratitude for being a “lucky person” and made it clear that she has no intention of retiring anytime soon.
When asked about her motivation and whether she had considered slowing down, Carol emphasized her deep love for her work, saying that “nothing comes between” her and her plants. She explained that financial considerations play a role but aren’t the main reason she continues working. “I absolutely couldn’t [retire]. I haven’t got enough dosh to do that for a start, but that’s not the reason. I want to carry on working. I just love it—I love the gardening, I love the presenting, I love writing.”
Carol also touched on how her health has impacted her outlook, revealing that it hasn’t changed her approach to work. “I’ve had a double mastectomy, but everything was caught early, and I’m just waiting for the results of one final test.” Despite her recent health challenges, she bounced back quickly, even returning to present at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show just weeks after her surgery.
In an interview with MyWeekly magazine, Carol reflected on her recovery, expressing gratitude for the overwhelming support she received and the positive outcome of her treatment. “I was lucky and had a positive result,” she shared.
Carol has been a beloved figure in the gardening world since her debut on Gardeners’ World in 1989. She became a regular presence on television when she joined Channel 4’s Garden Party in 1996, before landing her now-iconic role on the BBC. In addition to her television work, Carol’s book Hortobiography offers readers a glimpse into her life, including her time spent as an illustrator in Rome.