EastEnders actor Cheryl Fergison has revealed she developed a heartbreaking condition following her cancer diagnosis, calling on others to get to the ‘root of the problem’.
The 58-year-old actor, who played Heather Trott on EastEnders for five years, recently opened up about her painful journey with cancer.
She told The Mirror how she’d gone for a ‘regular smear test’, which had been clear, but started experiencing worrying symptoms.
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"I’d started having a lot of backache and then I began spotting blood, which wasn’t normal for me," Fergison said.
"I had been fitted with a coil to help with very heavy periods but somehow I just knew something didn’t feel right."
After being referred for a biopsy and further tests by her GP, it was revealed that she had Stage 2 womb cancer.
Fergison underwent a full hysterectomy to remove her womb before given the all-clear last year, and is now speaking out to raise awareness to others.
In an interview on Loose Women today, she discussed that it’s not just symptoms leading up to a diagnosis to be aware of.
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Panellist Kelle Bryan said: "As you so bravely opened up about the psychological side of cancer, which we don't often talk about.
"You got into a hand washing routine."
Fergison revealed she developed a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) as a result of her cancer diagnosis.
"It was washing bits of my body, trying to wash it away,” she explained.
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"We all try and control our own body in some way, but actually sometimes we can harm ourselves by trying to do something, than actually getting the help.
"It wasn't everyday but it was continuous over a period of years and it would stop.
"My husband and son would help me out and periods of times I would stop. Putting on a brave face for the general public out there, carrying on daily life... knowing I was actually hurting and harming myself in some way.
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"But I think you need to get to the root of the problem, there is not enough groups of people in communities sitting down talking about this.
"We know there is no money in the NHS - but we can all try as a community to help each other and work out the problems."
Fergison added: "I've had loads of support from my family, my lovely husband, my son.
"Steve McFadden, Barbara Windsor, Linda Henry, Paul O'Grady...everybody who knew was just amazing."
Featured Image Credit: ITV/Ben A. Pruchnie/Getty ImagesTopics: Eastenders, Health, Mental Health, Celebrity