Presenter Sarah Beeny has announced she has been diagnosed with breast cancer and is currently undergoing treatment.
The 50-year-old property expert is famed for her work on programmes such as Help! My House Is Falling Down and Sarah Beeny’s New Life In The Country.
Sarah is sadly no stranger to breast cancer as she lost her mother to the disease when she was only 10 years-old.
Speaking to The Telegraph, Sarah admitted she had a “little bit of a breakdown” after hearing the fateful news.
Doctors stress the importance of getting to know what your breasts look and feel like normally means it’s easier to spot any unusual changes and check them with your healthcare professional.
Early breast cancer symptoms
A UK survey of women found that fewer than half of the respondents over 70 were able to name a single symptom of breast cancer, other than a lump.
While a lump is the classic warning sign of breast cancer, there are a few others to be aware of.
The nipples can undergo a few changes in the early stages of the disease.
This includes inversion, discharge and a thickening of the nipple skin.
Health experts warn of the importance for women to be familiar with normal changes to their bodies, and pay attention to any changes that may occur.
What causes breast cancer?
Breast cancer incidence rates are projected to rise by 2% in the UK between 2014 and 2035, according to Cancer Research UK.
This includes 210 cases in every 100,000 women by 2035.
In recent years, incidence rates have increased by 0.5% per year.
Previous research has calculated that 11% of breast cancer cases in the UK are caused by alcohol, as booze increases oestrogen levels in the bloodstream. Over the long term, exposure to oestrogens increases breast cancer risk, the government explains.
After the menopause, women who are overweight or obese have a higher breast cancer risk than those who are a healthy weight.
How to lower your risk of breast cancer
Lifestyle factors to reduce the risk include:
- Limiting your alcohol intake
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Being physically active
- Breastfeeding babies
- Limiting postmenopausal hormone therapy.
For Sarah, despite her diagnosis, the star is committed to not let the disease take over her life.
“I’m lucky because I live in a family where we all talk,” she explained.
“They just said, ‘You will be honest?’ And I said, ‘I promise you that I’m going to be around for a jolly long time yet. It’s going to be a bit difficult. But I promise I won’t lie.’
“And I think they were OK once I said that.”
Sarah added that she plans to draw on her “inner strength” throughout the treatment process.
Breast cancer treatment
The main treatments for the disease include either surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy or targeted therapy.
“Many women with breast cancer will have to cope with the removal of part or all of a breast, which can be very upsetting,” adds the NHS.
The national health body added: “It often helps to talk about your feelings or other difficulties with a trained counsellor or therapist.
“You can ask for this kind of help at any stage of your illness.”
