Penny Lancaster upset by sister-in-law's cancer diagnosis
Loose Women's Penny Lancaster was moved to tears on Thursday's episode as she opened up about her sister-in-law Louise's fight against cancer.
The 53-year-old returned to the daytime programme, joining panellists Charlene White, Frankie Bridge and Nadia Sawalha. As the panel discussed breast cancer and the importance of regular checks, Penny shared her personal experience with her brother's wife's heartbreaking diagnosis.
Penny revealed how she learned about Louise's diagnosis at the same time she discovered she was pregnant, a moment that brought her to tears. She remembered: "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 continued to describe Louise's courage throughout the difficult period, reports the Mirror.
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Overcome with emotion, she stated: "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 advice breast cancer care had given and about the checking.
She concluded: "Women under the age of 40, their breasts 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 revealed.
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She then emphasised the importance of regular self-examinations for any changes in the breasts and seeking medical advice promptly. In 2011, Louise shared her experience with the Daily Mail, recalling: "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 subsequently diagnosed with stage three breast cancer, but she successfully battled the disease.
Loose Women airs weekdays at 12:30pm on ITV1.
