ELAINE PAIGE is a British musical theatre star. Her career spans more than 40 years. She made her stage debut at 16 in 1964 and then in Hair in the West End four years later. BBC dedicated to the 73-year-old musical theatre queen, the show Elaine Paige at the BBC will feature a selection of some of her best-loved songs including Don’t Cry for Me Argentina, Memory, and I Know Him So Well. There are rare clips from her early days and her own interpretations to many musical classics. She was the Broadway debutant as Norma Desmond, the lead role in Sunset Boulevard.
The star has lived with fear since her diagnosis and long treatment. She goes to great lengths in order to prevent the disease from returning.
Last year, when she spoke to The Sun about the terror of breast cancer returning, she stated that: “Once breast cancer has been diagnosed, the fear never goes away. Every year I have my annual check-ups and make sure I inspect my breasts.
“But, I have been in good health since that episode, and that was over 20 years ago.
“Officially, since then, I have been careful about what I eat. I also try to avoid eating things that are bad for me. But, you still need to enjoy your life.
Elaine, who lost Sarah Harding to Girls Aloud, used social media to encourage others to check their breasts regularly. She also shared that she had “experience with breast carcinoma”.
To her 41,000 followers, the star tweeted: “So sorry to hear that singer Sarah Harding has passed away.
“Although she was not my friend, I experienced breast cancer and beg you to all check yourself once a month. Don’t wait to get help if you are affected.
According to the NHS, breast cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer in the UK. One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point during their lifetime.
The medical website states that although there are many symptoms, the most obvious symptom of the condition is a lump or an area of thickened breast tissue. While most breast lumps do not indicate cancer, it is a good idea to get them checked out by a doctor.
A GP will also examine you for other symptoms.
-
Changes in the shape or size of one or both breasts
-
You can discharge either one of your nipples that may be stained with blood.
-
An armpit lump or swelling
-
Do you want to dimple on your breasts?
-
You have a rash around or on your nipple
-
Changes in your nipple appearance, such as sunken breasts.
There are two types of breast cancer. They develop in different parts. The non-invasive form of breast cancer occurs in the ducts and does not spread to the surrounding breast tissue. The second type, invasive breast carcinoma is when the cancer cells have spread from the lining of the breast ducts to the surrounding tissue. This is the most common form of breast cancer.
Breast cancer can spread to other areas of the body. This is usually done through blood vessels or axillary lymph nodes. These small lymphatic glands filter bacteria and cells from within the mammary gland. This is known as metastatic or secondary breast cancer.
Elaine uses dance to keep fit and prevent another battle with cancer. She started ballet again at 70.
In an interview with The Mirror, she stated that “I just took up ballet again and it was great for me to do some plies.”
“I go to Silver Swans – The English National Ballet has this charity for women over 55. I believe one of us is well into her 80s.
“We may look strange, but it keeps us limbered up.
The NHS reiterates that breast cancer can be treated if detected early enough to prevent spread to other parts of your body.
A combination of:
-
Surgery
-
Chemotherapy
-
Radiotherapy.
The first treatment is surgery. Next comes chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and sometimes hormone or targeted therapies. The type of breast cancer you have will determine the type and type of treatment you receive.
Elaine received extensive radiotherapy to eradicate the cancer cells. Radiotherapy is typically given over several weeks, with one dose per day. Radiotherapy is usually administered externally using a machine that emits radiation beams at the cancer. However, it can also be administered via radioactive liquids that are swallowed or injected.
