SINGING legend Linda Nolan has passed away aged just 65, after a 20-year battle with breast cancer.
The TV star and member of pop group the Nolans was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005 and given the all clear in 2011.
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But the disease returned and she was tragically diagnosed with secondary breast cancer in 2017.
By 2023, the cancer had spread to her brain.
Linda was surrounded by her famous sisters during her last moments and she passed away around 10:20am at Blackpool Victoria Hospital.
A statement released by her agent, Dermot McNamara, read: “The family said the hospital couldn’t do enough, they were tireless and made it so much more bearable.”
Read more on breast cancer
“She passed peacefully, with her loving siblings by her bedside, ensuring she was embraced with love and comfort during her final moments.
“She was a beacon of hope and resilience, sharing her journey to raise awareness and inspire others.
“Rest in peace, Linda. You will be deeply missed, but never forgotten.”
Linda wasn’t the first in her family to succumb to cancer, as her sisters and dad all faced diagnoses.
Tommy Nolan Sr passed away of liver cancer in 1998, while Linda’s sister Bernie lost her life to the disease in 2013.
Tributes to Linda have already began pouring in, with her sister and Loose Women star Coleen Nolan saying: “She faced incurable cancer with courage, grace and determination, inspiring millions.”
One in seven women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime.
And, according to Cancer Research UK, it’s the most common cancer in Britain, accounting for 15 per cent of all new cases.
On top of this, nearly 1,000 people die from the disease every month in the UK, with the disease killing around 11,500 women and 80 men each year.
One of the most recognisable signs of breast cancer is a lump appearing in the breast.
But there are several other signs beyond bumps that could alert you to the deadly disease – from skin and nipple changes to rashes or discharge.
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1. A lump – but not just in your breast
A lump or swelling is a key sign of breast cancer that we all know to check for.
But bumps can also appear in the upper chest or armpit.
Most breast changes, including breast lumps, are not cancer.
But the sooner breast cancer is found, the more successful treatment is likely to be.
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2. Skin changes
From puckering to the slightest hint of a dimple – changes in the skin’s appearance on your breasts can be a sign of cancer.
For example, if the skin of your breast looks and feels like the peel of an orange, go and check it out with your GP.
3. Changes to size or shape
There’s a reason breasts are described as sisters, not twins.
They never look exactly identical and they can also look and feel different as you age, whether they swell due to hormonal changes, or lose a little of their perkiness as you age.
Carolyn Rogers, senior clinical nurse specialist at Breast Cancer Care, told The Sun: “They may change at the time of your period, when going through pregnancy as your body ages.
“By checking your breasts regularly, you’ll get to know whether a change in size or shape is part of what’s normal for you, or if it’s something unusual that’s worth getting checked out by your doctor.”
4. Changes in colour
Breast cancer red flags aren’t just textural.
A change in the colour of the breast – the breast may look darker, red or inflamed – might be another sign of the disease.
5. Nipple changes
Nipples come in all shapes and sizes and some people naturally have inverted nipples.
But a sudden nipple change is something to watch out for.
“If your nipple suddenly starts to be pulled inwards, or changes its shape or position in any way, then it could be a warning sign,” explained Carolyn.
6. Rashes or crusting
Wearing a lacy bra or not washing your undergarment enough can sometimes leave you with spots or a rash.
But if a rash around your nipple continues to be an ongoing issue, it’s important to get it checked out as it could be a sign of something more series.
Watch out for crusting too.
7. Unusual liquid
Nipples will of course release liquid if you’re breastfeeding.
If liquid comes from the nipple without squeezing it, it is important to get it checked by a doctor.
8. Constant pain
On its own, pain in your breasts is not usually a sign of breast cancer – after all, your boobs can get sore if they’re on the larger side or they’ve been squished up into a bra.
But look out for pain in your breast or armpit that’s there all or almost all the time – this is worth speaking to a GP about.
The Nolan’s cancer ‘curse’
Linda’s dad, Tommy Nolan Sr, was the first to be struck by the cruel disease, dying from liver cancer in 1998.
Sisters Bernie, 52, Anne, 71, Linda and Coleen, 59, all faced diagnoses.
Anne was the first to be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000. It returned against in 2020 but she afterwards received the all clear.
Just days after her second diagnosis, her younger sister Linda found out about her liver cancer.
Bernie announced she had been diagnosed with breast cancer in April 2010 and passed away in 2013, aged just 52.
Finally, Loose Women star Coleen announced in 2023 that she had skin cancer.
Breast cancer screening
Most women will have been told to check their own breasts for signs of lumps and bumps, but after a certain age you’ll be invited for a free NHS breast cancer screening.
You’ll automatically get your first invite for up to three years after you hit 50, as long as you’re registered to a GP surgery.
After that, you’ll be invited every three years until you turn 71.
If you’re a trans man, trans woman or are non-binary, you may be invited automatically, or you may need to talk to your GP surgery or call the local breast screening service to ask for an appointment.
If you have not been invited for breast screening by the time you are 53 and think you should have been, contact your local breast screening service.
But if you’re experiencing symptoms of breast cancer before you reach screening age, don’t wait to be invited – see a GP.
Do this even if you’ve recently had a breast screening.
Read more about screening here.
