Claire King thinks cancer is "nature's payback" for the human race "mistreating the planet".
Claire King
The 58-year-old actress - who plays Kim Tate in 'Emmerdale' - believes there's a strong link between how humans have abused the planet and the rise of the deadly disease.
Asked about society's attitude towards the environment, Claire replied: "Cancer hits one in two, which is just horrendous. I think that's a lot to do with how we are treating the planet. We've mistreated the planet and this is nature's payback.
"We're not doing ourselves any good - says she who drinks and smokes - but we've all got to play our part in this and it becomes very poignant when you lose a good friend."
Claire's former 'Emmerdale' co-star Leah Bracknell - who played Zoe Tate in the ITV soap - died of cancer in September 2019.
Asked if Leah's death prompted her to take stock, Claire told OK! magazine: "Yes, of course it did. It was a tragic loss.
"Everyone who knew her knew it was going to happen, it was just a matter of when. Unfortunately she's not the first of my friends and she won't be the last. And particularly now with this awful coronavirus, we've lost more people.
"But I learned that lesson a long time ago."
Claire is now determined to live her life to the full and insisted she won't take anything for granted.
The actress - who has also starred in 'Bad Girls' and 'Coronation Street' - explained: "You have to enjoy life as much as possible. Be nice to other people. Live life, enjoy life and treat others with respect. And don't take life for granted because something like that can happen at any time to any one of us."
Tagged in Claire King