Samantha Womack says she'd have delayed cancer treatment to support NHS strikes

12 May 2023 , 17:18

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Samantha Womack was ­diagnosed with breast cancer last year

Samantha Womack has told how she would have delayed her cancer treatment to stand with striking NHS staff.

And the 50-year-old actor has demanded they get paid properly amid stories of nurses using foodbanks.

Former EastEnders star Samantha, who was ­diagnosed with breast cancer last year, said of the NHS: “This is one of the best gifts that we have in this country.

“But when you’ve got people who are working as hard as they are doing the hours they are, not being supported, even if it would have delayed my own personal treatment, I would have been out there fighting with them, because I’m absolutely desperate for them to be paid properly.

“They certainly shouldn’t be eating from foodbanks.”

Teachers, civil servants and train drivers walk out in biggest strike in decade

Olivia Newton-John passed away last August after breast cancer fight (AFP via Getty Images)

Samantha told how she beat her cancer this year. She revealed her own diagnosis after the death of Olivia Newton-John from the disease last August.

Samantha added: “We weren’t close, we only spent one evening together.

“But it was poignant for me when I got my ­diagnosis that she had lost her battle.”

Samantha, who played Ronnie Mitchell in Walford until 2017, is now supporting a campaign for women to access AI breast tumour diagnostic tool Digistain. It helps them ­understand treatment that will benefit them, ­potentially avoiding gruelling chemotherapy.

The actor, who had two bouts said: “I didn’t need it so much and it was as a prevention. I’m still having side effects from that treatment.”

Ellie Iorizzo