Springwatch presenter Michaela Strachan has revealed she had a double mastectomy after being diagnosed with breast cancer.
Strachan, 48, who hosts the popular BBC Two wildlife show, tweeted: “In Feb I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was lucky, I found it early.”
She told the Mail on Sunday’s You magazine that doctors advised her to have a double mastectomy.
The presenter added she is to have reconstructive surgery.
She presents Springwatch with Martin Hughes-Games [L] and Chris Packham
She has also become an ambassador for Breakthrough Breast Cancer to encourage women to have regular mammograms.
Speaking about her diagnosis, she told the Mail: “The tears started to roll as my doctor tried to tell me what would happen next, but I only took in every fifth word or so.
“The one word that registered was ‘cancer’.
“How had this happened? I don’t have it in the family. I live a fit and healthy life.”
She added: “I thought hard about telling my story, because I don’t want to be labelled.
“For years I’ve carried the label ‘ex-anorexic’; no doubt that will now change to ‘breast cancer patient’. But we all have challenges to face in our lives. We all have curve balls thrown at us.”
The presenter stressed how keen she is for women to have regular health checks, saying: ‘If I’d put mine off, my story could have been a very different one.
“As it is, I’ve had a tough year and an emotional journey, but I’m not fighting for my life.”
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Strachan has been a presenter since 1986, having started off in children’s TV with …read more
Source:: BBC Entertainment
