Strictly Come Dancing Star Shirley Ballas Reveals Terrifying Health Scare
Shirley Ballas, the beloved judge on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, has opened up about a recent health scare that left her feeling terrified. The 63-year-old dancer is now urging other women to prioritize their health and get checked for cancer after her own ordeal.
In a candid interview, Shirley revealed that she had undergone testing for cancer and had to endure three biopsies. She expressed her biggest fear, which is dying before her 87-year-old mother, Audrey. Shirley’s family has a history of cancer, with her mother being diagnosed with colon cancer in 2018.
The waiting process for the test results was described by Shirley as agonizing. She bravely shared her experience of having a tissue sample taken from her body. Every time her phone rang, she hoped it would be the call with her results, adding to the anxiety she felt.
Shirley credits fellow Strictly contestant Amy Dowden for inspiring her to prioritize her health. Amy is currently battling breast cancer and has been vocal about the importance of regular check-ups. Amy’s words resonated with Shirley, who decided not to postpone her own check-up.
“I did it at a mobile NHS unit in a Sainsbury’s car park, and three days later they called me back to go into King’s College Hospital in Camberwell. I was shocked as I do self-checks, and I’d had a self-check with another nurse a few weeks before for something else and she didn’t feel anything. But the mammogram scanners can pick up small abnormalities,” Shirley explained.
Amy Dowden, who was diagnosed with aggressive stage three cancer in May last year, had to withdraw from the 2023 series of Strictly Come Dancing. She has since undergone multiple rounds of chemotherapy. However, there is good news as Amy recently shared that she no longer has cancer in her body. She will still need monthly injections for the next five years as part of her continued treatment.
Shirley’s story serves as a reminder to women everywhere to prioritize their health and not to ignore any potential signs or symptoms. Regular check-ups and screenings can make all the difference in catching cancer early and increasing the chances of successful treatment.
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