• 1/4/2008
  • web-based article
  • Kris De Leon
  • www.buddytv.com

Colleen Zenk Pinter was diagnosed with oral cancer last spring and now her character Barbara Ryan on As the World Turns is suffering a similar fate.

The 54-year-old soap veteran who has been playing the beleaguered fashionista turned criminal since 1978 was actually the one who initiated and suggested for the show to mirror what she experienced in real life. Her character Barbara recently learned about her startling diagnosis, which was unfortunately on the same day she was banned from the baptism of her grandchild.

“I set up a meeting to pitch the idea to our executive producer, Chris Goutman, even though I wasn’t sure I was emotionally ready to do such a story,” the As the World Turns actress said. “We sat down and, before I could say anything, Chris pitched the same idea to me.”

“She’s all alone and desperate when she gets the diagnosis,” Pinter said of her character. “She ends up at the church after the christening, praying for help. Let me tell ya, that was a tough scene to get through.”

Unlike Barbara, who is just about to grapple with her illness, Pinter has already been treated and is now completely cancer-free after going through numerous surgeries and internal radiation treatment. And though it’s hard to tell what’s in store for Barbara’s future, Pinter remains hopeful that she’ll stick around on As the World Turns.

“Hard to tell because of the writers’ strike,” she said. “But I told Chris, ‘This cancer can be a real killer, so don’t let Barbara ignore it too long. I need my job!'”

At present, Pinter is eagerly spreading the word about the potentially deadly disease. She has teamed up with The Oral Cancer Foundation do additional interviews in print and TV media and has produced a public service TV announcement on the importance of early detection of the illness.