This Morning star Deidre Sanders has said her breast cancer has returned two years after her first diagnosis.
The agony aunt, 79, said to her ‘surprise’ doctors found cancer during an annual check-up on today’s ITV show.
Explaining how she felt after the diagnosis, Deidre said: ‘This time, to be honest, shock because I felt fine. I was so taken aback I wasn’t expecting it at all.’
She said medics found a ‘tiny but malignant’ cancerous lump in her left breast after previously being treated for cancer in her right breast.
Deidre will now undergo a lumpectomy and radiotherapy treatment starting later this month.
She told hosts Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley: ‘I feel lucky. It has been caught early and the treatment is happening very rapidly. It’s all on the NHS.’
Deidre explained she experienced no symptoms before her second diagnosis and the cancer was ‘purely’ found because of a mammogram appointment.
A Million Missed Mammograms
After being diagnosed with breast cancer during a routine mammogram in November, Dawn Butler MP was grateful to find out it was caught early.
However, she learned that a million women missed out on their mammograms due to the pandemic, with an estimated 10,000 currently living with undetected breast cancer.
Determined to change that, Dawn has launched a campaign with Metro.co.uk to get a million women to book their missed screenings.
If you have been inspired to do so after hearing Dawn’s story, please let her know on her website, emailing us or using #FindTheMillion on social media.
She added: ‘My big point is that on NHS system – I’m not criticising it- the last call for mammography checks is 70.
‘If you’re over 70 you should request one and get one every three years. please if you’re a woman over 70 request your mammogram.’
The government outlines that when members of the public are 71 or older, they’re not automatically invited for breast screenings, despite being more at risk of getting breast cancer than younger women.
However, they can request one once every three years by contacting their local breast screening unit for an appointment.
Breast cancer symptoms
You should see a GP if you notice any of the following:
- a new lump or area of thickened tissue in either breast that was not there before
- a change in the size or shape of one or both breasts
- a discharge of fluid from either of your nipples
- a lump or swelling in either of your armpits
- a change in the look or feel of your skin, such as puckering or dimpling, a rash or redness
- a rash (like eczema), crusting, scaly or itchy skin or redness on or around your nipple
- a change in the appearance of your nipple, such as becoming sunken into your breast
Deidre said she decided to reveal her diagnosis on This Morning to raise awareness of mammograms and breast cancer.
She added: ‘That’s what I do I help people have difficult conversations and if I can’t have my own, [it’s a] poor show.’
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