Former Top of the Pops presenter breaks down in tears amid fears her breast cancer has returned
A TOP Of The Pops host broke down in tears as she admitted fears her cancer will return.
The BBC favourite, 51, took to her Instagram page as she lay in her bed awaiting the results of a recent mammogram.
Sarah Cawood brushed back tears as she told fans she was awaiting not only the results of a recent mammogram but some insight into “marks” that had appeared on her breasts.
She tellingly title her video: “This is what post breast cancer anxiety looks like,” and added Taylor Swift track Wildest Dreams to the backdrop.
Alongside scenes showing her in striped pyjamas getting understandably upset Sarah – who was diagnosed with stage one breast cancer in 2022 – wrote: “I got a text today telling me I have an appointment on Tuesday…
“I had a mammogram two weeks ago, but I also told the breast care nurses I was concerned about some marks on my other boob, so I don’t know whether this appointment is about that (which has already disappeared) or my mammogram.
This is the reality of having cancer: it never ever really leaves you
Sarah Cawood
“I’m sure it’s the latter, but the fact it’s a bank holiday weekend and the appointment is so soon has me all kinds of anxious.
“It never leaves you. The fear that It’s Back.”
She added: “I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about but here’s the thing: I’m happier than I’ve ever been.
“My life is wonderful and I don’t want it to end anytime soon, and this stupid f**king thing that I had, it’s always there, like a shadow on a sunny day, threatening to ruin this amazing life I’m leading.
I hope I’m overreacting, and I’m sure I am, but I’m posting this because this is the reality of having cancer: it never ever really leaves you.
“The disease does, but the anxiety is with you for the rest of your life. Here’s hoping it’s a long and healthy one.
To all my pink sisters: I’ve got you I feel you I am you.”
Just two years ago, the brave star joked how she had cancer but her “boobs were epic”.
My life is wonderful and I don’t want it to end anytime soon, and this stupid f**king thing that I had, it’s always there
Sarah Cawood
At the time of diagnosis, her condition meant she had to come off HRT, which she was taking for the menopause.
A year later, in 2023, she revealed another worrying update as she found a fresh lump nine months after her initial cancer diagnosis.
At the time, Sarah was inundated with messages of support from fans.
What are the signs of breast cancer?
BREAST cancer is the most common type of cancer in the UK.
The majority of women who get it are over 50, but younger women and, in rare cases, men can also get breast cancer.
If it’s treated early enough, breast cancer can be prevented from spreading to other parts of the body.
Breast cancer can have a number of symptoms, but the first noticeable symptom is usually a lump or area of thickened breast tissue.
Most breast lumps aren’t cancerous, but it’s always best to have them checked by your doctor. You should also speak to your GP if you notice any of the following:
- a change in the size or shape of one or both breasts
- discharge from either of your nipples (which may be streaked with blood)
- a lump or swelling in either of your armpits
- dimpling on the skin of your breasts
- a rash on or around your nipple
- a change in the appearance of your nipple, such as becoming sunken into your breast
Source: NHS
Money woes
Yet earlier this year, Sarah broke down on social media as she opened up on her money worries.
She was seen holding her head in her hands as she tried to work out the family finances.
In her caption, the former Beeb presenter wrote: “No one really talks about money here, or how we are all managing. But how ARE we all managing?
“We are a family of freelancers, we live well, but we live to the edge of our means, and that’s going to have to stop.
“I will admit money burns a hole in my pocket, but this month, the sums haven’t added up and my poor husband, our main breadwinner, has a gap in his contracts that we have to fill somehow.
“I’m just glad that I can plug some of the hole with my direct sales money, and I’m intending that to be a full time wage, but the building of a business takes time and patience. I have no doubt it’s moving in the right direction but I hate doing the family finances and telling everyone we need to box smart for a few weeks.
“So yes, I’m talking about money. How hard it is to manage right now and how frustrating it is when you work as hard as we ALL do and have nothing left over for the fun stuff.”
She then asked fans for help with “budgeting tips” amid the current cost of living crisis.