This Morning’s suffering aunt Deidre Sanders has praised the kindness of nurses during her breast cancer treatment.
The 77-year-old revealed she was diagnosed with the disease in early June after missing a mammogram appointment.
Deidre appeared on This Morning on Tuesday to reveal her diagnosis, saying she wanted to raise awareness of the symptoms and encourage other women to book a GP if they have any concerns.
Presenter Philip Schofield, who appeared on the daytime show with co-star Holly Willoughby, praised Deidre for being “amazingly stoic” in the face of her battle with cancer.
Speaking about her treatment, which will include a lumpectomy to remove carcinoma in the right breast duct, Didre said she visited a breast clinic where she was comforted by nurses.
Diedre said that while she was in the waiting room she noticed an NHS nurse holding her hand, describing them as “so kind and caring”.
She added that she could see other patients being nervous and anxious and could see them “visibly relaxing” in the presence of the “calming and kind” staff.
“You feel like you’re in such safe hands,” she explained.
Deidre said she first went to her GP when she started feeling “sick” and was later given a mammogram, although she added there was no evidence the two were linked.
The distressed aunt added that she had not attended a mammogram appointment because the NHS invites women between the ages of 50 and 71 for regular breast examinations and she was over the age limit.
However, she urged women to check their breasts and contact their doctors if they are concerned, adding that they have the “right to ask” for mammograms.
The government also states that women over the age of 71 can request one once every three years by contacting their local breast screening unit for an appointment.
The NHS says symptoms of breast cancer can include a new lump or area of thickened tissue, a change in the size of one or both breasts, discharge from the nipple and a lump or swelling in either armpit.
This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV
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