British-Nigerian actress, Victoria Ekanoyeta has revealed she has been diagnosed with breast cancer just months after welcoming her first child.
The soap actress best known for her role as Angie Appleton in ‘Coronation Street’ revealed the heartbreaking news in an interview. According to her, she discovered a lump in her breast while feeding her son, Theo, who she shares with husband Jonny Lomas, before doctors investigated.
“Back in July I was feeding Theo and I noticed there was a small lump protruding at the top of my left breast. I was diagnosed on October 13 with DCIS, which is Ductal carcinoma in situ. It basically means that cells have turned cancerous within the milk ducts”.
Victoria Ekanoyeta
Victoria during the interview revealed that her mum had breast cancer at 41, her sister also had it at 39. She noted that in fact, so many people in her family had it. Therefore, she doesn’t waste any time before she checks on her health.
The movie star mentioned that she and her family are currently being optimistic, and positive about the issue. She also said that they are “really lucky that we’ve caught it as early as we have. I don’t know if lucky is the right word, but that’s how I feel”.
According to research by Breastcancer.org, Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is non-invasive breast cancer. Ductal means that the cancer starts inside the milk ducts, carcinoma refers to any cancer that begins in the skin or other tissues (including breast tissue) that cover or line the internal organs, and in situ means “in its original place.”
DCIS is called “non-invasive” because the cancer at that point hasn’t spread beyond the milk duct into any normal surrounding breast tissue. DCIS isn’t life-threatening, but having DCIS can increase the risk of developing an invasive breast cancer later on.
Victoria faces complications with childbirth
Earlier this year, Victoria revealed she feared her “miracle baby boy” would die during her traumatic three-day labor due to complications involving her sickle cell anemia.
The actress gave birth to her first child, a boy named Théodore Christopher on January 16, 2021, with complications due to her sickle cell anemia.
Victoria revealed how she and her husband, Jonny worried that their baby “wouldn’t make it”, adding how the thought of losing her son willed her to push through the painful labor which left her struggling to walk or speak.
Victoria was induced on January 13th at 39 weeks, however, it wasn’t until three days later that she gave birth.
She then told how, due to her sickle cell anemia, she was advised to have pain relief during the labor, however, she suffered a severe reaction to the drugs, resulting in her throwing up and struggling to function.
She explained that, with sickle cell, it’s not advised to have a birth without painkillers as it can trigger a sickle cell crisis [episodes of pain]. Therefore, she was induced and put on pain medication. But had a really bad reaction after taking the painkillers.
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