Deidre Sanders ‘Shocked’ as Breast Cancer Returns: ‘I Wasn’t Expecting It at All’

Deidre Sanders, the beloved agony aunt from This Morning, has revealed that her breast cancer has returned, admitting she was “shocked and wasn’t expecting it.” The news comes after Sanders first announced her initial diagnosis in September 2022 during a conversation with former hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby. At the time, she openly discussed the importance of not fearing a cancer diagnosis, saying, “I think people panic at the word cancer often… even though getting the diagnosis is what leads to treatment.”

On Tuesday’s episode of This Morning, Sanders sat down with Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley to share that her cancer has returned, discovered during her annual mammogram. “Unfortunately, I’ve got to have a lumpectomy followed by radiotherapy,” she explained but emphasized her gratitude for early detection. “I feel lucky, it’s been caught early and the treatment is happening very rapidly.”

Sanders went on to reveal that she had no symptoms leading up to the diagnosis. “If I did a self-check, I couldn’t feel anything because it was too small to feel,” she said, crediting the mammogram for catching the cancer early. She reflected on how unexpected the diagnosis was, adding, “I was just so taken aback, I wasn’t expecting it at all.”

In the emotional interview, Sanders used her platform to raise awareness about breast cancer screenings, especially for older women. “My big point about this is that on the NHS system… the call for mammograms stops when you are 70,” she explained. Sanders revealed that she hadn’t had a mammogram in ten years before her recent diagnosis, as she had not been aware that women over 70 can request one. “What I do now know is that when you’re over 70, you can request a mammogram on the NHS and you should get one every year,” she urged, encouraging women to stay vigilant about their health.

She concluded the conversation with a powerful message, emphasizing the importance of early detection. “The reason I’ve had an easy time this time and last time is because it was caught so early,” Sanders shared, before expressing her gratitude for the support she has received from her family and loved ones.

As she prepares for her surgery this month, Deidre Sanders continues to inspire others with her candid and courageous approach to her health journey, reminding everyone of the importance of regular screenings.