Frankie Bridge speaks on mother’s devastating breast cancer diagnosis
“She had a horrific experience!” Frankie Bridge speaks out about mother’s devastating breast cancer diagnosis and harrowing treatment, as she admits it was a wake-up call to herself
Frankie Bridge has spoken out about her mother’s ‘horrific’ breast cancer diagnosis, admitting it was a wake-up call for her.
The Saturday star Frankie, 34, revealed how her mother Viv Sandford was diagnosed with the disease early this year.
The Loose Women star insisted her mum was lucky she caught the disease early, but admitted it shocked her as she never thought to check herself for nodules.
She explained to the Mirror: ‘My mother was diagnosed with stage 2, grade 3 breast cancer at the beginning of this year. She caught it early, but it was pretty aggressive.
“She often protected me from it, so I don’t think I’ve ever seen her hit rock bottom, but I saw the chemotherapy take its toll at the end.
Frightening: Frankie Bridge, 34, has spoken out about her mother’s devastating breast cancer diagnosis, saying: ‘She had a horrifying experience!’ (Frankie pictured last month)
Disease: Former The Saturdays singer Frankie said her parent Viv Sandford (left) was diagnosed with the disease early this year (pictured in 2021)
“She’s finished treatment now and coming out the other side, but it’s not over yet, so it’s scary to talk about it.”
Frankie said she never checked her breasts because no one in her family had ever had cancer, but she has now changed her ways.
She added: “My mom’s diagnosis has made me think, ‘Oh God, it could be anyone.’ And an early diagnosis makes such a big difference.’
It comes after Strictly Come Dancing professional Amy Dowden announced she had been diagnosed with breast cancer.
The dancer, 32, said she is “determined” to get back on the dance floor as soon as possible, and is trying to be “positive and strong” amid the diagnosis.
She wrote on her Instagram Stories: ‘Hello everyone, I have news that is not easy to share. I was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, but I’m determined to get back on the dance floor before you know it. Welsh loves Amy (sic).’
Amy has battled the chronic intestinal condition, Crohn’s disease, since childhood and admitted that her latest diagnosis is “another hurdle” to overcome.
She said HELLO!“I’ve been through quite a bit in my life and this is another hurdle.
Sad news: It comes after Amy Dowden revealed she was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 32 (pictured before her diagnosis)
Health: The Strictly Come Dancing pro took to her Instagram Stories last month to share her health update, saying she’s ‘determined’ to get back on the dance floor
“But if I’m positive and strong, I have a good chance of getting back on the dance floor as soon as possible.
“With what I did for Crohn’s disease, I want to do the same here.”
Amy – who married fellow pro dancer Ben Jones last July – “didn’t think it was possible” to be diagnosed with breast cancer in her early 30s.
She added, “If I can try to turn this negative into something positive, it will help me get through this.
“You just never think it’s going to happen to you.
Dancing: Amy admitted it wasn’t easy sharing the news as she discussed whether she could rejoin the BBC dance show later this year for the new series (pictured with James Bye)
“I didn’t think it was possible to get breast cancer at my age. My mother had breast cancer, but she got it later in life, around 50.’
Amy decided to check her breasts after taking part in a 100km fundraiser led by Giovanna Fletcher in support of the CoppaFeel! charity.
She added: “Last year, of course, I consciously tried to control my breasts. Cup Feel! may have saved my life now as I don’t know how long this lump could have been there before I would have noticed and done something about it.
“So if I speak up, I might save other people’s lives because they start checking their breasts.”