Alan Rickman's widow opens up about the star's last days - alarming symptoms went unnoticed for a long time
Rima Horton reveals in a recent interview that Alan Rickman kept his pancreatic cancer diagnosis secret and died six months later, highlighting the difficulties in identifying the disease's symptoms.
The surprise death of actor Alan Rickman from pancreatic cancer ten years ago shocked fans and the entertainment industry alike. He passed away at the age of 69, without revealing his illness until it was too late. In a recent interview with BBC Breakfast, Rickman's widow, Rima Horton, shared that he died just six months after being diagnosed. She emphasized the importance of awareness surrounding the symptoms of pancreatic cancer, which often go unnoticed until it's too late, making it one of the deadliest forms of cancer.
Horton explained that chemotherapy extended Rickman's life, but it did not cure him. She noted that the symptoms of pancreatic cancer, such as unintentional weight loss, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and jaundice, can be challenging to interpret, often leading to a late diagnosis. Horton expressed that Rickman had so much more to offer and many projects he could have pursued had he not fallen ill.
In light of her husband's experience, Horton is actively involved in fundraising for the Pancreatic Cancer UK Foundation. Her goal is to promote research into breath tests as a potential early detection method for pancreatic cancer. By raising awareness and gathering support, Horton hopes to improve the situation for future patients and prevent others from facing the same fate as her late husband.