Former Hollyoaks star Abi Phillips has been diagnosed with thyroid cancer at just 28 years old. The news has been shared by the actress on Instagram. She explained that she had previously been told two lumps in her neck were nothing to worry about.
Seeking a second opinion, the star, who played character Liberty Savage in the long-running Channel 4 show, then received the devastating news that the lumps were in fact cancer. Taking to Instagram, Abi explained: "So, I took these pictures before my scans and after my biopsy having a good old laugh about how ridiculously dressed up I looked in the hospital before a gig, not expecting for one moment to get the news that I did two weeks later."
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She appeared in the posted pictures wearing a face mask and hospital gown. The Mirror reported that Abi went on to explain how she had previously visited doctors to get two lumps in her neck tested, but was told there was nothing wrong. However, the star sought a second opinion for "peace of mind".
"I'd previously been sent away from the doctors after having found two lumps in my neck, they'd passed it off and said I was 'young' and it wouldn't be anything and I was 'probably getting over a cold' or my body was 'fighting something off'," she continued in her post.
"As much as that's what I wanted to hear I wanted to get everything checked for my own peace of mind."
Abi met with a specialist who agreed with the actress that the lumps were concerning and informed the young star she would require surgery and radiotherapy. In her moving post shared with her 12, 400 followers, Abi thanked former Love Island star Demi Jones - who underwent a full thyroidectomy after being diagnosed in May 2021 - for using her platform for raising awareness.
Abi continued in her update: "I booked in with a specialist and immediately she told me she was very concerned due to where my lumps were located and referred me for an urgent biopsy and scans.
"Fast forward two weeks and just before Easter weekend I had an appointment to see a consultant at the QE hospital who sat me down and told me that I had been diagnosed with thyroid cancer, and that I would need surgery and radiotherapy treatment.
The soap star added: "I never thought I would be told that I have cancer at the age of 28, you never think it's going to happen to you. I wouldn't have taken things further with seeing a specialist if I hadn't seen @demijones1 post as her lumps were in the exact same place as mine."
The star - who appeared on Hollyoaks for two years until her 2013 exit - concluded with: "If ever you find a lump or something unusual on your body, never just think it's nothing, don't be told that you're fine by the GP and you're 'young', always get things checked out by a specialist if you can and insist on tests even if it turns out to be nothing, as catching things early is crucial for a good prognosis.
A number of celebrities were quick to wish Abi well under her Instagram post, including Katie Price's ex-husband Alex Reid who wrote: "Sending my love beautiful, you’ve got this." Following her exit from Hollyoaks, Abi went on to forge a successful career for herself as a singer - even trying out for a place on The Voice in 2017.
According to her website, the former soap star is currently working as a professional singer and is available for weddings, corporate events and various celebrations.
