Myleene Klass has urged women to check their breasts after suffering a health scare while attending Wimbledon.
The TV presenter and singer, 48, shared on Instagram how she found not one but two lumps after casually folding her arms during the tennis tournament.
Posting on Instagram, Myleene shared how she has since undergone medical tests, but is now encouraging others to not ignore any changes to their bodies.
‘Girls. A massive reminder to check yourselves,’ she wrote on social media.
‘I accidentally felt a lump when I was at Wimbledon watching the tennis. I casually folded my arms and there it was. Then a second one.
‘The subsequent days went both quickly and agonisingly slowly.’
The former Hear’Say star said that she was ‘okay’ three cysts and three lymph nodes later.
‘I have close friends going through similar experiences atm and it’s sobering, humbling and terrifying,’ she continued.
‘All this to say, as a fierce advocate for women’s health, right now, check yourself and go get a second opinion.’
Breast cancer symptoms
The first symptom of breast cancer that most women notice is a lump or an area of thickened tissue in their breast.
You should see a GP if you notice any of the following:
- a new lump or area of thickened tissue in either breast that was not there before
- a change in the size or shape of one or both breasts
- a discharge of fluid from either of your nipples
- a lump or swelling in either of your armpits
- a change in the look or feel of your skin, such as puckering or dimpling, a rash or redness
- a rash (like eczema), crusting, scaly or itchy skin or redness on or around your nipple
- a change in the appearance of your nipple, such as becoming sunken into your breast
Myleene also thanked those who helped her access medical care quickly.
‘Kudos and eternal thanks to @the_mutha_ship who moved mountains lightning fast to get me seen and sorted and didn’t take her foot off the gas,’ she wrote.
‘To those who don’t have a Sev, look at this as your prompt from me. Check yourselves.’
Reacting to her post online, several followers thanked the star for the reminder, with Zoe Ball commenting: ‘Great nudge to all ❤️❤️❤️ glad you’re ok M xxx’
Kirsty Gallagher also said: ‘Gosh darling sending so much love amazing lady and glad all ok. Thank you for sharing. Love you’
Myleene has long been a campaigner for women’s health and has previously spoken publicly about miscarriage, pregnancy loss and improving healthcare for women.
While breast lumps are common and many turn out not to be cancer, the NHS advises anyone who notices a new lump or other changes to their breasts to get them checked by a GP as soon as possible.
How to check for signs of breast cancer
CoppaFeel! offers these simple steps on how to check your own chest for signs of cancer.
Look
- Look at your boobs, pecs or chest.
- Look at the area from your armpit, across and beneath your boobs, pecs or chest, and up to your collarbone.
Be aware of any changes in size, outline or shape and changes in skin such as puckering or dimpling.
Feel
- Feel each of your boobs, pecs or chest.
- Feel the area from your armpit, across and beneath your boobs, pecs or chest, and up to your collarbone.
Be aware of any changes in skin such as puckering or dimpling, or any lumps, bumps or skin thickening which are different from the opposite side.
Notice your nipples
- Look at each of your nipples.
Be aware of any nipple discharge that’s not milky, any bleeding from the nipple, any rash or crusting on or around your nipple area that doesn’t heal easily and any change in the position of your nipple