Emmerdale star Natalie J Robb has revealed her own personal breast cancer scare as she issues an important message to fans amid Chas Dingle’s (Lucy Pargeter) storyline.
The Moira Dingle star appeared on Lorraine in a segment discussing the filming of an important scene in Chas’ story, where she discusses her breast cancer diagnosis with the other Dingle women.
While discussing the storyline, Natalie candidly revealed her own experience, and urged fans to check themselves.
‘Like myself, I had a scare last year. I found a lump in my right breast and when I went to the doctors, they said, “We are more concerned about the one in your left,” and I had absolutely no idea.
‘And even though you are feeling for things, you’re not sure how to do it properly. So that’s why it’s so, so important. Luckily for me they were benign. Be aware and check your boobies.’
Co-star Lisa Riley, who plays Mandy Dingle, also opened up about her experience of breast cancer, recalling how her mother sadly died from the illness almost 14 years ago, after ignoring the symptoms.
‘What’s so important about this storyline is how early Chas found the lump, thanks to Dr Liam. For me personally, in my own family, my mum was an ostrich, she put her head in the sand,’ Lisa explained.
‘She thought it was something that would go away. It won’t go away. And you can’t be like that. My mum, personally, wasn’t that lucky. That’s a testament to why we are doing what we are doing today.’
In recent scenes on the ITV soap, Chas revealed to her shocked brothers and son that her cancer was caused by the faulty BRCA2 gene, and it is likely that they too could have it.
In tonight’s (March 1) episode, Chas will urge Aaron (Danny Miller) to make an appointment for his gene test referral, though he remains evasive.
Meanwhile, when Ruby Fox-Miligan (Beth Cordingly) overhears the Dingles gossiping about the faulty BRCA2 gene, she demands that Caleb (William Ash) explain.
However, the couple soon end up rowing, and as things escalate, Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley) receives a knee to the groin as he tries to calm things down.
