Emotions were running high on the latest instalment of Loose Women as Penny Lancaster shared the sad story of how her sister in law found out that she had breast cancer

Loose Women star Penny Lancaster was in tears during Thursday’s show as she spoke about her sister-in-law Louise’s cancer battle.

The 53-year-old was back on the daytime show alongside panellists Charlene White, Frankie Brige and Nadia Sawahla. As the ladies discussed breast cancer and the importance of getting checked, Penny reflected on her brother’s wife sad diagnosis.

Explaining how she found out from her family about Louise’s diagnosis at the time while also finding out that she was pregnant, Penny couldn’t hold back her tears. She recalled: “At the time it was one in nine that was diagnosed, and of course it’s one in seven now and we kind of sat down after the walk and said it could be one of us.

“Very shortly afterwards, it was my third IVF, I fell pregnant and I was so excited to tell them the news and they didn’t want to have to tell me in that same phone call that Louise had found a lump.” She went on to explain how brave Louise was during the ordeal.

Penny Lancaster was left in floods of tears(Image: ITV)

Breaking down in tears, she said: “She was so brave and she was only 36! So with the NHS only screening at 50, women under the age of 50 must do that self-check because that was the only way she found it because of the advise breast cancer care had given and about the checking.

She added: “Women under the age of 40, their breast are much more dense. So it’s harder to actually detect those lumps.

“There’s a misconception that there’s no pain with breast cancer and she felt pain,” she shared. She then explained how important it is for people to continually check their breasts if they’ve notice any changes and seek medical advise.

The women discussed breast cancer on the ITV show(Image: ITV)

In 2011, Louise shared her story with Daily Mail. She said: “I got up, and as I did, I suddenly realised my right breast was sore and uncomfortable.

“I pressed the palm of my hand flat on to my nipple, and directly behind it I felt a lump. It was like a cross between a pea and a broad bean,

Louise was later told she had stage three breast cancer. However she did manage to beat it.