Samantha Womack is to begin chemotherapy in her battle with breast cancer after undergoing a lumpectomy and lymph node removal.
Samantha Womack gives breast cancer update ahead of first chemotherapy session
The former 'EastEnders' actress has thanked her fans for their support after she revealed in August she had been diagnosed with the disease, and updated her supporters on where she is at in her journey.
Speaking in a video posted on her Instagram account, she said: "I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has been sending me love after I shared my story about battling with breast cancer.
"So just to tell you where I'm at, I've had my operation. I had a lumpectomy and lymph node removal, and I am now going to start my first session of chemotherapy."
The 49-year-old star - who played Ronnie Mitchell in 'EastEnders' from 2007 to 2017 - has been "blown away" by her fans' stories and messages since her diagnosis.
She added: "I have read all of your stories and messages. They've blown me away, genuinely. And I just wanted to say thank you. I'm very humbled by the fact that everyone has reached out. So, I'll keep you posted. Just a huge thank you and sending you all lots of love."
The 'Babes in the Wood' actress - who is dating former 'Coronation Street’ actor Oliver Farnworth, 39 - revealed in August she was recuperating after undergoing a breast cancer operation.
She wrote on Instagram: "Recuperating after breast cancer op. My love makes me turmeric and ginger in the morning and homemade butternut squash soup in the evening……. #feeling loved and grateful (sic)"
The star took to Twitter earlier that month to pay tribute to actress Olivia Newton-John - who fought breast cancer for 30 years - following her death days earlier aged 73, and during her heartfelt post Samantha revealed she was starting her own "battle with [the] disease", and she was "deeply moved" following the 'Grease' star's passing.
Sam shared a picture of herself, Olivia and Olivia's daughter Chloe, 36, after they went to see the 'Mount Pleasant' actress when she was playing Sandy - Olivia's character' in the 1978 movie - in the West End.
She captioned the image: "This was the most magical of evenings. Olivia and Chloe had come to see Grease in London and we had dinner together afterwards. I was so excited and in awe, she was my childhood. I now start my own battle with this disease and am left feeling deeply moved. #OliviaNewtonJohn (sic)"
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