LORRAINE Kelly interrupted her ITV show today to pay an emotional tribute following the death of a beloved co-star.
Presenter Lorraine, 64, took the moment to update viewers on the sad death of Heather Sawyer, who died aged 50 from breast cancer.
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Lorraine Kelly has revealed that a member of her Change and Check campaign choir has sadly passed away
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In an emotional tribute, Lorraine said Heather was ‘a very, very special lady’
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Heather appeared on Lorraine in July Credit: Rex
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Heather Sawyer, 50, died of breast cancer on October 5
She said Heather, a member of the Lorraine Change + Check choir, had fought the disease bravely but returned and lost her battle on October 5.
Lorraine, 64, said: “I am so sorry to share the sad news this morning.
“One of our amazing singers, Heather Sawyer, passed away from secondary breast cancer.
“Heather was only 50 years old, she was an amazing woman.
“She was such a big part of the choir, so passionate about everything. Amazing.”
Dr. Hilary Jones joined the host in studio to remember Heather, who is survived by her husband and 11 grandchildren.
He said: “She was a wonderful woman who sang in the choir to celebrate the Change + Check campaign.
“And you know, what she would like now is for us to remind women, get checked, do a self-examination, go to your GP, get this sorted out as soon as possible.”
“Absolutely would, and we send Heather all our love.
“A very, very special lady,” Lorraine said.
Lorraine apologizes as she breaks down in tears on the ITV show
Heather was battling terminal stage 4 cancer and her husband revealed the sad news on social media on Saturday.
The cancer tragically spread to the left side of her brain and she underwent a mastectomy, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
He said: “Just before 1am this morning on October 5, Heather lost her battle with cancer and breathed her last and passed away peacefully.
“We know how many people followed Heather’s journey and how many lives she touched from the sheer volume of messages, voice notes, the flood of #hevupsocials hashtags.”
The family continued in a statement: “We as a family first want to thank each and every one of you wonderful people who have visited us, sent well wishes and thought of Heather during this time.
“It did not go unnoticed and we will be forever grateful to each and every one of you as you all let her know how much she was loved in her final days.”
Breakfast TV legend Lorraine and her group of cancer warriors have hosted the Change + Check campaign for six years.
It was created to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer.
The producer of Lorraine’s show, Helen Addis, helped set up the campaign after her own battle with the dreaded disease.
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Lorraine Kelly recorded a music single for her cancer charity last year Credit: Lorraine/ITV
What is breast cancer and how does it spread?
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in the UK – one woman is diagnosed every ten minutes.
While most women can get breast cancer, it is most common in women over the age of 50.
According to Cancer Research UK, breast cancer starts in the breast tissue.
Breast cancer develops when abnormal cells in the breast begin to grow and divide uncontrollably, eventually forming a growth.
Most invasive breast cancers are located in the upper outer quadrant of the breast.
If left undiagnosed and untreated, it can move through the lymph or blood vessels to other areas of the body.
There are around 55,200 new cases of breast cancer in the UK each year.
This equates to around 150 new cases per day.
It also accounts for 15 percent of all new cancer cases each year.
If cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, then 98 percent of people will survive the disease for five years or more.
If diagnosed at the last stage, then only 26 percent of people survive for five years or more.
What are the four stages of breast cancer?
First stage: The cancer is small and is only found in the breast tissue – but it can also be found in the lymph nodes near the breast.
Stage two: The cancer is either in the breast or in nearby lymph nodes or both.
Stage three: Cancer has spread from the breast to the lymph nodes or breast skin or chest wall.
Stage four: Cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
What are the signs?
- A lump in the breast or armpit
- Changes in the position of the nipple
- Leaking nipples in women who have not had children
- Skin changes
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Source: HIS Education