Loose Women star Kaye Adams has been left stunned by her friend Karen MacKenzie’s reaction to being diagnosed with breast cancer
Kaye Adams of Loose Women has shared her utter astonishment at how her friend coped with a breast cancer diagnosis. Her friend and podcast co-star Karen MacKenzie, discovered an unsettling lump in her breast and immediately sought medical advice. On their How To Be 60 podcast, Karen detailed the swift action taken by the NHS: “That day, I got a mammogram. I got an ultrasound, and I got a biopsy. By the end of the appointment, it was quite clear that there was a cancerous tumour there.”
But rather than allowing the news to derail her plans, Karen jetted off to Italy for a break before further examination. Upon her return, she underwent an MRI that revealed additional tumours—the initial lump being benign and the opposing breast harbouring the malignant growths.
Reflecting on her condition, Karen admitted to overlooking subtle signs: “Now that I see my breasts though, there was a tiny little sort of ripple at the bottom. And I think that’s all I could describe it just a little bit of a tuck in the skin, and that’s an indication.”
Despite the intensive treatment and more procedures on the horizon, Karen has maintained a lighthearted and pragmatic stance towards her illness. This strength and resilience have left Kaye incredibly impressed, saying on the podcast: “I have to say, you’re handling this incredibly, I really do take my hat off to you. I think you’ve been remarkable in terms of the way you’re dealing with it.”
Kaye highlighted Karen’s remarkable resilience, noting that she even cycled to some of her appointments, showcasing her stoic approach to her condition.
Karen recalled discovering lumps in her breast previously — once during breastfeeding and again after being prescribed HRT during menopause — though neither proved to be cancerous.
She speculated: “I have no reason to believe this, but in the back of my mind, I think the benign lump here was maybe brought on by HRT. I don’t know that, because I stopped HRT as soon as I realised.”
Medical professionals acknowledge that while there is no concrete evidence directly linking HRT to cancer, it can marginally elevate the risk of certain types, particularly breast cancer, as well as possibly ovarian or womb cancer. The risk is influenced by the type of HRT, treatment duration, and personal factors such as age and family history.
Karen confessed she had the occasional “wobble,” saying: “I think it was hard,” yet she believes she might still be partly in denial about her condition.
She expressed her uncertainty: “I don’t know whether my head’s still in the sand,” adding, “I’m not in any pain. I wouldn’t think there’s anything wrong with me. I don’t feel any lumps on that side. It’s just like it’s happening to somebody else.”
Kaye has been deeply impressed by her friend’s philosophical stance towards the unexpected diagnosis. Meanwhile, Cancer Research UK suggests that maintaining a positive outlook can significantly aid those grappling with the daunting reality of cancer.