May 8th 2024.
As the saying goes, "prevention is better than cure," and former EastEnders star Cheryl Fergison couldn't agree more. After being diagnosed with womb cancer, she is now urging women to be proactive about their health and not hesitate to approach their doctor if they notice any warning signs. In fact, she goes as far as calling it badgering - a term usually reserved for persistent nagging, but in this case, a necessary act of self-care.
Cheryl reveals that she owes her life to her determination to seek medical attention when she first experienced symptoms back in 2015. Despite initial reservations, she has now decided to open up about her cancer battle in the hopes of inspiring and empowering other women. "For me, it's about letting women know about what they should do with their bodies," she shared during a recent appearance on Loose Women. "We don't listen to ourselves enough. In general, people don't listen to themselves enough," she added.
As we all know, life can get busy and we often prioritize others over ourselves. But Cheryl reminds us that taking care of our own health should always be a top priority. "As women, we're so busy dealing with everybody else, we don't seem to have time for ourselves. So, basically when something happens to you, you need to take heed of it and you need to act on it," she advises.
But her message doesn't just end there. Cheryl also emphasizes the importance of being proactive and not being afraid to push for answers from doctors. "I think the thing is, if I hadn't acted on what was going on with me, I don't feel like I would have been here today," she reveals.
Cheryl also opens up about why she kept her cancer battle private for so long. As an actress, she had to not only process the emotional toll of her diagnosis but also the practical concerns of being out of work and not earning an income. However, with the support of her colleagues, such as the late EastEnders legends Dame Barbara Mitchell and June Brown, she was able to find the strength to continue fighting.
She fondly remembers seeking comfort in their dressing rooms and being able to confide in them. "Barbara was no nonsense - if she didn't like something she would let you know - but she was also a great person to tell your problems to," Cheryl shares. She also recalls a heartwarming gesture from Dame Barbara, who not only offered emotional support but also practical help by writing her a check to cover her bills and mortgage.
Cheryl's story serves as a reminder that we should never underestimate the power of support and kindness towards those going through a difficult time. And as for her own experience, she sums it up perfectly, "It's only up until sort of the end of last year that I managed to go enough is enough, now stop this, 'I need to just crack on'."
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