Shirley Ballas reveals she’s got the all clear after frightening breast cancer scare
SHIRLEY Ballas has revealed that she’s got the all clear after her frightening breast cancer scare.
It comes after earlier this month the Strictly judge, 63, shared with fans that she was waiting for biopsy results after having a mammogram.
This afternoon, Shirley took to Instagram to post the results – confirming that “there is no cancer present.”
Shirley said: “Thank you to you all for your well wishes following my two mammograms, one ultrasound and three biopsies last week.
“I am feeling blessed to share that my results have come back all clear – there is no cancer present.
“Sharing the picture to my story last week very much triggered my emotions, but I feel it’s only right for me to share both the highs and the lows of life.
“If I was able to help just one lady, then sharing my picture was worth it.”
The BBC star then pleaded with her 334k followers to attend future appointments as they can “change your life”.
Shirley continued: “I got my recall while on holiday and I immediately cleared my diary to allow for the appointment.
“I urge all women to do the same. Please do not put your mammogram, smear test or in fact any appointment off.
“They really can change your life. Who knows what my have happened if I put mine off?
The dancer signed off with a thank you to everyone that reached out to her with love and support.
Shirley wrote: “Get booked, get checked and get your body MOT everyone.”
“With immense gratitude to friends, family and fans who reached out.
“I appreciate you more than you know.
“Love and hugs, Shirley x.”
Shirley spoke out about her cancer scare last week.
Sharing a picture of her with a bandaged chest, she said: “Urging all women do not miss your mammogram.
“I went for mine, ended up going for a second one and a biopsy. Local anaesthetic biopsy done. Now waiting for results.
“Amy Dowden you ran through my mind.
“The importance of not putting it off. Go and get tested. Plus self breast check regularly.”
Strictly professional Amy, 33, missed the last series of the show while she battled breast cancer.
GETTING CHECK-UP IS VITAL
By Professor Pat Price, clinical oncologist
SHIRLEY’S experience shows just how vital mammograms can be.
They let us see any changes in the tissue that might indicate cancer — often before you have a lump or other signs of the disease.
It can even pick up pre-cancerous cells.
Currently all women over 50 are invited to a check every three years until they are 70.
After that you can have one on request.
High-risk groups might be offered other assessments at an earlier age.
Sadly, in England only 65 per cent of women go when invited.
A system change has meant that rather than getting a letter with a date and time, you get one asking you to go online and book. It’s too easy to put it aside and not do anything.
But, as Shirley proves, women must make that appointment. Talk about your mammogram and encourage others to go for theirs. That way, we can beat this disease.
Over the weekend Shirley, who had not received her results yet, confessed to The Sun on Sunday: “I feel very emotional.
“Every time the phone rings I think, ‘Oh maybe they are my results’.”
Speaking about the biopsies, she said: “They injected me with anaesthetic then took the biopsies.
“The hard part is the torture of waiting for the results.
“So I went home bandaged up.
“Deep inside, you’re a nervous wreck.
“I need to know my results one way or the other, good or bad.
“I’m not a person who likes to wait or put off things.
“I got myself in a tiswas when I posted the picture to social media, I was crying while I was doing it.
“I thought, ‘I shouldn’t’. But even if one woman goes to get tested because of it then it’s all been worth it.”
Shirley had her breast implants removed in 2019 to make it easier for doctors to spot cancer.
There is cancer in her family – with her mum Audrey now in remission after colon cancer.
Her grandma, granddad and aunt have also had the disease.
What are the signs of breast cancer?
BREAST cancer is the most common type of cancer in the UK.
The majority of women who get it are over 50, but younger women and, in rare cases, men can also get breast cancer.
If it’s treated early enough, breast cancer can be prevented from spreading to other parts of the body.
Breast cancer can have a number of symptoms, but the first noticeable symptom is usually a lump or area of thickened breast tissue.
Most breast lumps aren’t cancerous, but it’s always best to have them checked by your doctor. You should also speak to your GP if you notice any of the following:
- a change in the size or shape of one or both breasts
- discharge from either of your nipples (which may be streaked with blood)
- a lump or swelling in either of your armpits
- dimpling on the skin of your breasts
- a rash on or around your nipple
- a change in the appearance of your nipple, such as becoming sunken into your breast
Source: NHS