American TV personality Rachael Ray has shot down reports she's battling throat cancer, insisting she is "the picture of health." Tabloid The National Enquirer recently claimed the Emmy-winning lifestyle show host was to undergo surgery on her throat amid fears she had cancer— an operation that would silence her for two months.

But her representative Charlie Dougiello has played down the reports, admitting that while she is having an operation, it is only minor surgery and is not as serious as it sounds.

He tells People.com, "Rachael is the picture of health. She is having very minor surgery to remove a benign cyst on her vocal cord. It's a common in-and-out procedure that she will have in early December and it will not adversely effect any of her daytime show or Food Network tapings."

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(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)