Brenda Edwards has recalled the moment she discovered a “pea” sized lump in her breast just moments before taking to the stage in Hairspray The Musical
Loose Women star Brenda Edwards said she refused to call a doctor as she had a “show to do” – despite finding a lump in her breast.
The broadcaster, singer and actress was appearing in Hairspray The Musical back in 2015 when she discovered a “pea”s sized lump in her breast.
Brenda, 54, said her stylist at the time had been in tears after a friend, 25, after receiving a diagnosis of breast cancer.
Despite being just minutes away from the curtain up, Brenda explained to her Loose co-stars that she checked her breasts before finding a lump.
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Following the news about Sarah, Duchess of York being diagnosed with breast cancer and having a mastectomy, Brenda discussed her experience, saying she was also “symptom-free”.
Brenda was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 (
Image:
ITV)
Brenda explained: “I ran my hands across my breasts after she said something and found a lump which kind of felt like a frozen pea.
“It was hard like a frozen pee and that kind of size, on my right underneath, by my right breast, didn’t think anything of it, went and did the show…”
Before anchor, Charlene White asked: “You didn’t immediately call the doctor?”
“No, I didn’t,” said Brenda before adding: “I was more focused on the show, I thought ‘I’ve got a show to do’, I just thought it was a swollen gland or something.”
Following her stint in the show, Brenda recalled having a shower at home and discovering the lump had grown which prompted her to get in touch with a doctor.
Having called on a Monday, Brenda was being seen in a hospital just two days later where she had a mammogram and an ultrasound, before a biopsy.
“They sent away the test and 10 days later it came back as Stage Three breast cancer,” she said.
However, Brenda said she wouldn’t have gone for a mammogram anyway as she “fell into the category of ‘it’s not going to happen to me’.”
Brenda’s admission came after the panel discussed Sarah, Duchess of York’s shock diagnosis (
Image:
Getty Images)
The presenter says she wouldn’t have been in the category to be invited for a mammogram due to her age but after intense rounds of chemotherapy, her nails fell off before her toenails turned black and fell off.
Seven years later, Brenda says her toenails haven’t grown back and she still suffers from peripheral neuropathy.
Ahead of their discussion, the panellists sent their best wishes to the Duchess of York who after a routine test was diagnosed with early stages of breast cancer.
Speaking on her podcast, Sarah said: “We’re taping the podcast today, but tomorrow I’m going in for a mastectomy, a single mastectomy, it’s very important that I speak about it. So when it airs you will know I’ve been through this.
“I want every single person that is listening to this podcast to go and get checked, to go and get screened.”
The Duchess explained that she had put off going for her mammogram until her sister Jane intervened.
“Thank you, Jane,” she said.
