Shirley Ballas says she lives in fear following a recent cancer scare after having her routine mammogram.
The Strictly Come Dancing head judge, 63, took to Instagram this week to tell fans she is awaiting biopsy results after the procedure and is now awaiting her results.
Twinkle-fingered star Shirley, who had her breast implants removed in 2019 to make it easier for doctors to detect cancer, decided not to skip her mammogram after Strictly pro Amy Dowden, who is recovering from breast cancer, will remind you of the importance of getting tested.
TV personality Shirley was shocked when routine testing revealed she had lumps in her left breast.
Shirley said worries about putting too much pressure on herself could have led to health problems. Sun: ‘I’m worried that I’ve killed myself working.
Shirley Ballas says she lives in fear following a recent cancer scare after having her routine mammogram.
The Strictly Come Dancing head judge, 63, took to Instagram this week to tell fans she is awaiting biopsy results after the procedure and is now awaiting her results (pictured in January).
“It’s been scary having the needle put into your body to numb it before the biopsy.”
She added that she worries every time someone calls her that they are giving her bad news.
Shirley explained: ‘I feel very excited. I’m not the same at work right now, so I’m teaching, but it’s constantly on my mind.
‘Every time the phone rings I think, “Oh, maybe it’s my results.”‘
After Amy warned Shirley not to skip her mammogram, the Strictly panelist went to a mobile NHS unit in the car park of a Sainsbury’s supermarket before being called to King’s College Hospital in London three days later.
The doctor told her that they had found a lump in her breast and that they needed to do a 3D mammogram for which they needed to use a more advanced machine than the one in the mobile unit.
He asked for it to be done immediately because he didn’t want to have to wait and worry in the meantime.
Sharing an image showing the bandage after her biopsy, Shirley wrote on Instagram this week: “Urging all women not to miss their mammogram.”
Sharing an image showing the bandage after her biopsy, Shirley wrote on Instagram this week: “Urging all women not to miss their mammogram.”
In response to Shirley’s mention, Amy gushed: ‘Always here for you! Important message here all from @shirleyballas
Shirley emphasized the importance of not skipping a mammogram and credited Amy Dowden, who is recovering from breast cancer, for reminding her of the importance of getting tested (Amy pictured this week).
‘I went for mine, ended up with a second one and a biopsy. Biopsy is performed under local anesthesia. Now waiting for results.’
Shirley also mentioned Amy after she was diagnosed with grade III breast cancer in May 2023.
And he added: ‘Amy Dowden, you crossed my mind. The importance of not postponing it. Go get tested. Also, check your breasts regularly.’
In response to Shirley’s mention, Amy gushed: ‘Always here for you! Important message here, all from @shirleyballas.’
Shirley had her breast implants removed after a cancer scare in 2019.
She revealed in September that year that she would undergo the operation to reduce her risks of developing the disease after discovering a history of cancer in her family.
On Instagram at the time, the dancer confirmed she would undergo surgery, meaning she had to leave that year’s Pride Of Britain Awards early.
Addressing her fans in a video message, she explained: “It was a spectacular evening even though I had to leave early because tomorrow is my surgery so I’ll be up at 3am.” So I’ll keep you all informed.’
Shirley had her breast implants removed following a cancer scare in 2019 (pictured on Strictly Come Dancing
Shirley revealed to The Sunday Times before the procedure that she suffered a cancer scare and learned there was a history of the disease in her family when she filmed an episode of Who Do You Think You Are? in 2018.
The two eventualities led Shirley to consider taking every precaution possible to prevent cancer from affecting her life, including removing her implants.
After learning that having implants can prevent signs of breast cancer from being detected, Shirley also revealed that she was considering removing the scar tissue around her implants as well, just to be extra careful.
When she first explained her possible plans to the Sunday Times, she said: “I’ve had a breast augmentation.” It makes me step back and think when you go in for these mammograms: “Can you see behind you? Is it clear what you can see?”
‘It makes me sit back and think, ‘Should I take them off? Would that be a good safety measure for me?’
Shirley learned in Who Do You Think You Are? -the BBC series that delves into celebrity family trees, featuring the likes of Mary Berry, Mark Wright, Patsy Kensit and Danny Dyer-that her great-grandfather died of cancer.
She also recently nursed her 82-year-old mother back to health following a diagnosis of colon cancer, for which she underwent treatment.
Shirley took to Instagram last summer to talk about the time she herself had a breast cancer scare.
Alongside an image of a breast cancer awareness poster, she wrote: “I had a routine check up with the doctors and she was not happy with what she felt and saw in my breast and immediately sent me to Clatterbridge Hospital for a mammogram and an ultrasound.”
‘We live our daily lives always busy and sometimes ignoring our body.
‘If something changes externally or you have any discomfort, it is your body telling you “take care of me.”
‘DON’T LET HIM AWAY. Early detection is key to improvement.
‘I have cancer in my family line, so I will be attentive.
‘To all beautiful women, young and old, check yourselves regularly. We have a beautiful body that we need to keep well cared for. Thank you again to the NHS for being so wonderful.”
