Gemma Collins plans to undergo genetic testing after her mother secretly battled cancer.
Gemma Collins wants to have genetic testing
The 42-year-old reality star's mum Joan was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ, in which the cells in the lining of the breast tissue become cancerous, in 2016 after finding a lump between her armpit and breast, and now Gemma is planning to be screened for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutation to give her peace of mind over her chances of also contracting the disease.
She told The Sun on Sunday newspaper: “I would love to go for the BRCA test — peace of mind is key.
“My mum is now a breast cancer survivor and let this be a message to everyone out there — no one is invincible from it.
“Your health is your wealth and with any lump you’re never going to be wasting the doctor’s time.
“These services are in place and we pay into these services — they are there to help us.”
Gemma checks her breasts daily and urged women to see their doctor if they have any concerns.
She said: “It has to be a message to everybody to get themselves checked. Every time I have a pain I am straight down the doctors getting myself checked. It’s a huge wake up call to everybody.
“I must drive them mad at the doctors but I pay into the NHS services like everyone else.
“I’m always touching my boobs because they are always in the bloody way!
“I’m forever pushing my boobs back in my bra and literally every girl knows there is nothing better than coming home and whipping your bra off.
“But, naturally, even while I’m talking on the phone, I’m going around the outside and checking. I do it everyday. It’s just like taking an antihistamine in the summer for hay fever — it’s just something you have got to be on.”
Gemma - whose mother is now cancer-free - has also given up eating meat after a study found risks of developing cancer is 14% lower in vegetarians.
She said: “I think when you reach your 40s you get even more conscious about your health because, let’s be honest, this is where it all starts going downhill.”
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