Baywatch star Nicole Eggert has revealed her breast cancer diagnosis after previously mistaking her symptoms for the menopause.
The 51-year-old actor, who portrayed the character of Summer Quinn on the hit television series, has opened up about her health journey after first receiving the diagnosis of stage 2 cribriform carcinoma breast cancer in early December 2023.
Nicole, who is a single mum-of-two to daughters Keegan, 12, and Dilyn, 25, recalled gaining 11 kg in just three months as well as suffering from 'terrible pain' in her left breast in October of the same year.
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Discussing her symptoms with PEOPLE, the star explained: "It really was throbbing and hurting. I immediately went to my general practitioner and she told me I had to immediately go get it looked at.
"But the problem was I just couldn't get an appointment. Everything was booked. So I had to wait until the end of November to get it done."
After a mammogram and three biopsies, Nicole's results came back positive for cancer.
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She revealed that the journey has been 'rough' for her, admitting: "This hasn't been a breezy sale through life."
With that said, however, Nicole assured that she's trying to remain positive despite the life-changing diagnosis: "I always read inspirational quotes and corny stuff, but it gets me through."
Nicole, who also appeared as Jamie Powell in the sitcom Charles in Charge, is now currently waiting to find out when chemotherapy and radiation will begin.
She will need surgery to remove the lump from her breast and, at this current point in time, it is not yet clear whether the cancer has spread to other parts of her body.
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Speaking about the lump, the Baywatch alum said: "I can definitely feel it. It's there. It needs to be taken out.
"So it's just a matter of do I have to do treatment before the surgery or can they perform the surgery and then I do the treatment after."
"I have panics where I'm like, just get this out of me," she added. "You sit there and it's in you and you're like, every second that passes and it's inside of me. It's growing, and you're just like, you just want it out."
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Nicole's friend, Mindy Molinary, has since organised a GoFundMe page on her behalf titled: "Nicole Eggert Needs Your Help."
The fundraiser, which has currently raised $13,611 USD out of the $100,000 goal, reads: "My dear friend, Nicole Eggert, was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and needs our help.
"It's been a long time since Charles in Charge and Baywatch. As a single mum, she's had to struggle financially to raise her two daughters.
"She still has a little one at home and she is terrified of not being able to afford the treatments and surgery necessary while also keeping a roof over their heads.
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"She’s lost both her parents and doesn’t have any family to lean on or help her with this situation."
Mindy continued: "She has a long road ahead. Multiple expensive imaging - CTs, MRIs, Ultrasounds, etc. Multiple doctors to see - oncologists, surgeons, etc. cancer treatments and medications. Her current insurance won't even scratch the surface of what she needs."
While she described Nicole as 'tenacious' and a person who has 'always found a way to get by', Mindy said this situation was 'different'.
"She will be unable to work while undergoing surgery and treatments," Mindy went on. "She has a long, scary road ahead and has a terrible time asking for help
"I implore you to help my friend afford her medical bills as well as feel secure that she won't be left without a home for her family during this extremely trying time.
"Once she is on the road to recovery, she intends to start a non-profit for single parents like herself, without families, who are going through this ordeal."
You can donate to Nicole's GoFundMe page here.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact Macmillan’s Cancer Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 8am–8pm seven days a week
Rhiannon Ingle