Linda Nolan has died at the age of 65 after a lengthy on-and-off battle with breast cancer since 2005
Pop singer and Daily Mirror columnist Linda Nolan has sadly died following an extended battle with cancer. Famously part of the pop group the Nolans with her sisters, she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005 and given the all-clear in 2011.
But, in 2017, she was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer that spread and, by 2023, was in her brain. Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in the UK.
It is vital that people fully understand the common and subtle signs of the issue so action can be taken quickly. There are a handful of common signs and symptoms people should be checking for regularly.
According to the NHS, symptoms of breast cancer in women may include:
- a lump, or swelling in your breast, chest or armpit
- a change in the skin of your breast, such as dimpling or redness
- a change in size or shape of one or both breasts
- nipple discharge (if you are not pregnant or breastfeeding), which may have blood in it
- a change in the shape or look of your nipple, such as it turning inwards or a rash on it
- pain in your breast or armpit which does not go away – breast pain that comes and goes is usually not a symptom of breast cancer
It is crucial to check your breasts regularly so you know what’s normal for you. This makes it easier to notice any changes in the size, look or feel of your breasts.
Having the symptoms does not definitely mean you have breast cancer, but it’s important to get checked by a GP. If your symptoms are caused by cancer, finding it early may mean it’s easier to treat.
Some of the things that can increase your risk of developing breast cancer include being overweight or obese, alcohol, getting older, family history and inherited genes. Cancer Research UK lists ways to reduce your risk of developing breast cancer.
Although the condition mainly affects women, men can also be diagnosed. For men, symptoms of breast cancer are similar to women, with a full list available on the NHS website.
If breast cancer spreads to other parts of the body it’s called secondary breast cancer. The symptoms depend on which part of the body the cancer has spread to.
It can spread anywhere, but it most commonly affects the bones, liver, lungs or brain. You may also have general symptoms including feeling tired or having no energy, loss of appetite or losing weight without trying to feeling unwell with no clear cause, feeling or being sick and difficulty sleeping.
