
Today yet another much-loved figure, comedian Victoria Wood, died after a battle with cancer.
Other notable names taken by this awful disease in just the first four months of 2016 include Alan Rickman, David Bowie, Sir Terry Wogan, Sir Peter Maxwell Davies and Lemmy from Motorhead. (Others who sadly died but of different, equally horrible illnesses include Ronnie Corbett and Paul Daniels, compacting the pain).
Considering our average life expectancy is generally going up, many of these figures were not particularly old. Alan Rickman and David Bowie were both 69 and both still seemed to be excelling in their respective careers. Victoria Wood was just 62.
That’s why the public was so particularly shocked- cancer can sneak up on anyone, at any time, and it is terrifying.