Sarah Beeny shares cancer update: 'I've opened that box of demons and had a look inside'

Virgin Radio

30 Aug 2023, 16:39

TV presenter Sarah Beeny has admitted that she feels 'fortunate' her cancer diagnosis has opened up a 'box of demons' but she's able to 'shut it down'.

The 51-year-old, who underwent a double mastectomy, appeared on BBC Breakfast and spoke about her breast cancer diagnosis and getting the all clear.

She explained: 'I'm really lucky. I had a very lucky diagnosis, I'm lucky to live in the UK and I'm lucky to have the NHS. Lucky to be the age I am, so many things I'm grateful for to be honest. I was diagnosed with cancer a year ago, and honestly it didn't really change me at all. 

'I mean it did obviously, because I had to go through treatment. But I would hate to think I'm a different person now.

'I'm probably a lot less nervous of cancer now, because it was like the big bad wolf and now I'm like you just deal with it. 

'The earlier the diagnosis the better the outcome, so you just need to get to the doctor quick. 

'Treatment is amazing compared to 40 years ago and in 40 years' time it really will be nothing.'

The star said that she feels lucky to be able to move on from the trauma. She said: 'I feel quite fortunate that I've opened that box of demons and had a look inside. I mean they're not exactly pretty but I can shut it now.'

The property expert was diagnosed with breast cancer 40 years after her mother died when Sarah was just ten years old.

She told our Chris Evans previously about raising awareness for the disease: 'There was kind of a moment where I decided I'd make this documentary that I thought if you're going to do it, then do it properly.

'Basically I wanted to raise awareness and I wanted people to feel that they weren't alone. I'm really lucky, I've got a really lovely supportive family. If you don't have a supportive family, it's harder.

'I had a really big fear of breast cancer, and if I'm really honest, it was out of proportion with the amazing treatment that went on because a lot of our fear of cancer is based on someone who's maybe died, who we adored 20 years ago or 10 years ago, and it's not based on current treatment and current treatment is so amazing.'