A US television news reporter is crediting an eagle-eyed viewer for noticing a lump on her neck and emailing her that she should get it checked out.

Victoria Price, a reporter for WFLA in Tampa, Florida, followed the advice and was diagnosed with cancer.

Ms Price tweeted that she is undergoing surgery on Monday to remove the tumour, her thyroid and a couple of lymph nodes.

she said: “Doctor said it’s spreading, but not too much, and we’re hopeful this will be my first and last procedure.”

The viewer emailed Ms Price last month, saying the lump reminded her of one she had had.

Ms Price, 28, an investigative reporter, said this week that her television station’s catchphrase is “8 On Your Side”.

But she added: “The roles recently reversed when I found a viewer on my side, and I couldn’t be more grateful.

“I will be forever grateful for the woman who went out of her way to email me, a total stranger. She had zero obligation to, but she did anyway. Talk about being on your side, huh?”