Frankie Bridge has opened up about her mum’s breast cancer battle and how she was lucky to catch the disease early.
The former Saturdays singer and Strictly contestant, who is taking on her second trek for charity CoppaFeel! this month, said she was shocked by Viv Sandford’s diagnosis at the beginning of the year.
She also said it brought home to her how cancer can hit anyone, even if they have no family history of it.
Frankie spoke out after Strictly pro Amy Dowden, 32 – a former CoppaFeel! team captain – revealed last week she has breast cancer. And she praised the charity for encouraging people to check their boobs.
Frankie, 34, a team captain on the trek alongside Giovanna Fletcher, Emma and Matt Willis, Nick Collier and Love Island winner Sanam Harrinanan, said: “My mum was diagnosed with stage 2, grade 3 breast cancer at the beginning of year. She caught it early but it was quite aggressive.
“She shielded me from it a lot, so I don’t think I ever saw her at rock bottom, but I saw the chemotherapy taking its toll at the end.
“She’s finished treatment now and is coming out of the other side but it’s not over yet, so it’s scary to talk about.
“Before I was involved with the charity, I didn’t check my boobs. Because cancer wasn’t in our family, I assumed I didn’t need to worry about it.
“But my mum’s diagnosis has made me go, ‘Oh God, it could be anyone’. And early diagnosis makes such a big difference.
“It has really brought home how important the work CoppaFeel! does is.”
The charity was set up in 2009 by siblings Kris and Maren Hallenga to educate both men and women on the imp-ortance of checking their breasts.
On Saturday, CoppaTrek! with Gi, led by I’m A Celeb winner Giovanna, will follow 120 people trekking 100km of Hadrian’s Wall country to raise cash.
Team captain Nick, 34 – best known for his drag alter ego, Ella Vaday – is joining this year’s trek after his mum was diagnosed with breast cancer.
She is now in the clear but he said: “She had a horrific experience. What I love about CoppaFeel! is that it cares for everyone, from every gender. Its all about educating people.”
CoppaFeel! messages about checks will be displayed on mirrors in the Love Island villa as the new series kicks off tomorrow.
Sanam, 25, who won this year’s winter series, said: “CoppaFeel! does amazing work and because I have a lot of young followers, I thought it was a great thing to get involved with.”
If you want to make a donation, visit coppafeel.org
