Lorraine Kelly sends ‘all her love’ to Davina McCall after breast cancer news

Scottish TV presenter Lorraine Kelly has sent “all her love” to Davina McCall after she announced that she had breast cancer in October.

McCall shared a video on Saturday revealing that she found a lump a few weeks ago which “came and went” and was driven to get it checked after seeing posters urging women to “check your breasts” while working on ITV’s Lorraine show.

Kelly was among a number of stars who praised McCall and shared well wishes on social media, including broadcasters Claudia Winkleman, Amanda Holden and Fearne Cotton.

Kelly said: “I’m so glad Davina saw our Change+Check sticker and the cancer was caught early.

“That’s the whole point of the campaign to raise awareness and save lives. I’m sending Davina all my love.

“She’s been through such a lot and she’s such a terrific woman.”

It comes after the 58-year-old underwent surgery last year to remove a benign brain tumour, known as a colloid cyst, which was found after she was offered a health check-up as part of her menopause advocacy work.

McCall said in her video: “I just wanted to tell you that I have had breast cancer. I found a lump a few weeks ago, and it came and went, but then I was working on the Masked Singer and Lorraine, the TV show Lorraine Kelly, had put signs on the back of all the doors saying, check your breasts. And every time I went for a wee I did that, and it was still there. And then one morning, I saw it in the mirror, and I thought, I’m going to get that looked at.

“So I had a biopsy. I found out it was indeed breast cancer, and I had it taken out in a lumpectomy nearly three weeks ago, and the margins, they take out a little bit extra and they check the margins, and the margins are clear.

“It was very, very small, so I got it very, very early, which is incredibly lucky, but I am so relieved to have had it removed, and to know that it hasn’t spread.

“My lymph nodes were clear. I didn’t have any removed, and all I’m going to do now is have five days of radiotherapy in January as kind of an insurance policy, and then I am on my journey to try it and stop it ever coming back.”

The former Big Brother presenter also thanked staff at the Royal Marsden hospital in London, along with her family, her “brilliant kids” and she sent an “extra special thanks” to her partner, hairdresser Michael Douglas.

“It’s been a lot. I was very angry when I found out, but I let go of that, and I feel in a much more positive place now,” she said.

“I think my message is, get checked if you’re worried, check yourself regularly. If you are due a mammogram, then get it done. And I have dense breasts, and I had a mammogram in August, and I was postponing the ultrasound. I just couldn’t find time to do it. Don’t do that. Get the ultrasound.”

The post received thousands of comments from friends and fans alike, including Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies, writer Elizabeth Day and All Saints singer Nicole Appleton.

Pushing Daisies actress Anna Friel said: “Oh… I am so sorry you are going through so much. You are shining and still smiling in the face of adversity. It’s a lesson to us all.”

Meanwhile, comedian Dawn French called her a “phenomenal woman” and said: “Blimey Davina! What a warrior you are. Must’ve been stressful.”

According to the NHS, breast cancer is the most common type of cancer for women in the UK, although anyone can get it, with those at higher risk including people over the age of 50, if you have dense breast tissue or have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer or have higher levels of the hormones oestrogen, progesterone or testosterone.

Sally Kum, associate director of nursing and health information at Breast Cancer Now, said: “We’re so grateful to Davina for sharing her experience openly and highlighting the importance of being breast aware and getting any new or unusual changes checked by a GP.

“We know that receiving a breast cancer diagnosis can be devastating, and every nine minutes in the UK a woman hears this life-changing news.

“It’s crucial that women are empowered to know the signs and symptoms of breast cancer and the importance of regular breast checking, which is as simple as TLC; Touch, Look Check – as the sooner breast cancer is diagnosed, the greater the chance of treatment being successful and lives potentially being saved.

“Anyone seeking information and support can speak to Breast Cancer Now’s expert nurses by calling the charity’s free, confidential helpline on 0808 800 6000, or via its forum or email.”

McCall is known for hosting Big Brother between 2000 and 2010 during its Channel 4 run, and has long advocated on women’s health issues, including presenting documentaries on contraception and the menopause.