Linda Nolan shares heartbreaking cancer update as she reveals her tumours have ‘grown’ after her treatment ‘stopped working’
Linda Nolan has given a heartbreaking cancer update, revealing that her tumours have ‘grown’ as her treatment has ‘stopped working’.
The singer, 65, was first diagnosed with stage-three breast cancer in 2005 before getting the all-clear in 2006. But in 2017 she was diagnosed with a form of incurable secondary cancer in her hip, which spread to her liver in 2020.
Last year, she shared the news that the cancer had spread to her brain, with two tumours discovered on the left side of her brain which left her struggling with her speech and balance.
However, while the disease appeared to be stable in Linda’s recent updates, her latest prognosis has revealed the devastating news that two of her largest tumours has grown in size, while further cancer spots have been found.
In a new interview, Linda admitted she was left ‘sobbing’ as the doctor delivered the results, saying how she wished cancer would just ‘leave her alone.’
Linda Nolan has given a heartbreaking cancer update, revealing that her tumours have ‘grown’ as her treatment has ‘stopped working’
The singer, 65, was first diagnosed with stage-three breast cancer in 2005 before getting the all-clear in 2006. But in 2017 she was diagnosed with a form of incurable secondary cancer in her hip, which spread to her liver in 2020
She told The Mirror: ‘I sobbed when my consultant first told me. I know so many people are suffering and going through things, but I thought, just for once, could cancer just leave me alone? My heart sank.’
Detailing how she suspected something was amiss beforehand, she said: ‘I had feared something was wrong. My balance has been getting worse and my memory – my sisters have to prompt me when I get lost in the middle of a sentence.’
Linda told how she was accompanied by sister Maureen and her MacMillan nurse at the appointment and immediately asked her consultant if the cancer had spread.
After it was confirmed, she told how she then enquired straight away what the next course of treatment would be.
The Nolans star is set to start on a new course of treatment on Wednesday which will include the life-extending breast cancer drug Enhertu – which is not currently available on the health service in England after its manufacturers and the NHS spending watchdog failed to reach an agreement on price.
Linda said of the treatment: ‘To be able to try a new drug is amazing, I just wish everyone could have this opportunity. To be able to try this is hope – it’s a plan B not everyone is being allowed. To take this drug away from women is to take away their hope.’
But while Linda welcomes the new drug, the singer is dreading the side-effects after medics informed her it was a ‘possibility’ that she’ll lose her hair – which will be the fifth time for Linda amid her years of chemotherapy.
The brave star is trying to keep a positive outlook however as she insisted that she’s ‘ready to try anything’, declaring that as she’s done tis before, she can ‘do it again’.
In Linda’s recent updates, her latest prognosis has revealed the devastating news that two of her largest tumours has grown in size, while further cancer spots have been found
‘I sobbed when my consultant first told me. I know so many people are suffering and going through things, but I thought, just for once, could cancer just leave me alone? My heart sank’ (pictured with sister Anne in August 2020)
In April, Linda revealed that she’s always ‘keen to squeeze the most out of life’ amid her cancer battle.
In an interview she has told how her main focus is ‘making memories’ with her family and filling up her schedule with happy plans.
She told The Mirror that since her birthday celebrations in February her and the family have had a stream of ‘knees-ups’ including her niece Amy’s birthday, her sister Coleen’s birthday and St Patrick’s celebrations.
Linda told the publication: ‘The WhatsApps are flying. Like I said to my counsellor, it’s a funny life in my head. Never mind tumours, it sometimes feels like I have worms wriggling in there.
‘I’m constantly so keen to squeeze the most out of life; to make memories, to enjoy every second, and to ensure everyone enjoys their time with me.
In April, Linda revealed that she’s always ‘keen to squeeze the most out of life’ amid her cancer battle
This week I’m realising perhaps I’m putting too much pressure on it all. Can you have too much fun? Nah. But life doesn’t stop teaching you lessons, does it? And just when you think you have this cancer malarkey all figured out.’
Just days ago, Linda’s sister Coleen said it has become a daily ritual for her to check for signs of cancer everyday after the tragic effects the disease has had on her family.
The Loose Women presenter, who is one if six sisters, candidly admitted she is terrified she will be the family member targeted by the disease next.
Cancer has significantly affected the Nolan family after the sisters lost Bernie, 52, in 2013 after a three year battle with breast cancer.
Meanwhile both Anne, 73, and Linda have also both battled breast cancer.
Speaking to The Mirror Coleen opened up about the preventative measures she takes as she explained: ‘We have had so much heartache… I’m always checking. I still have this thing when I think, “What if I have missed it?”
Just days ago, Linda’s sister Coleen said it has become a daily ritual for her to check for signs of cancer everyday after the tragic effects the disease has had on her family
Cancer has significantly affected the Nolan family after the sisters lost Bernie, 52, in 2013 after a three year battle with breast cancer. Meanwhile both Anne, 73, and Linda, 65, have also both battled breast cancer
In 2013, Bernie Nolan passed away after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010, and despite being given the all-clear the disease returned in 2012
‘Whenever I’m in the shower, I will have a good feel and check and if there is ever a time when I think “I don’t like that”, I will go to the doctor straight away. And they will say “It’s fine, it’s a little cyst or an infection”.
While Coleen hopes she doesn’t get the disease, she explained that if she is unfortunate she wants to catch it early.
Revealing how much she spends on health care, she admitted: ‘My breast specialist is £225 a year. People say, “It’s all right for you, you’ve got money”. But you could probably spend that in a year on takeaways, down the pub or on cigarettes.’
The TV star pays for regular appointments with a breast specialist, in addition to her NHS mammogram every two years.