Kerry Katona suffers cancer scare and says life 'flashed before her eyes'
Kerry Katona has revealed her life “flashed before my eyes” after a cancer scare.
The 42-year-old Atomic Kitten singer shared she once found a lump under her armpit as she took a shower.
She said she made the discovery around the time Girls Aloud star Sarah Harding was diagnosed with cancer.
Tragically Sarah died at the age of just 39 in September 2021 weeks after revealing the disease was terminal.
Luckily Kerry’s lump didn’t turn out to be cancer, but she says the health scare “put the fear of God into me”.
Teachers, civil servants and train drivers walk out in biggest strike in decadeShe has now vowed to go on a health kick after being recently diagnosed with scoliosis, a curvature of the spine that has left her in pain for years.
Detailing her cancer scare, she told OK! magazine: “I once found a lump underneath my armpit in the shower.
“It was around a similar time that Sarah Harding was diagnosed, which put the fear of God in me.
“My life flashed before my eyes and that’s when my health anxiety really kicked on. I had the realisation that we’re not all immortal and that your health is not always something you can control.”
Since then Kerry has been focusing on losing weight and getting healthier as she takes a step back from work to get herself back on track.
She had been due to hit the road and meet fans as part of her No Regrets tour but postponed due to her latest diagnosis.
Sharing a health update last week, Kerry said: “I had to make the decision to postpone my tour, which was so difficult. I hate saying no to work and letting people down. I was really battling with myself and getting emotional about it because I was so excited to see you all there.
"But ultimately, the doctor told me I needed complete rest and had to put my health first," before adding that she will be taking time to ensure she is both mentally and physically prepared to be back on the stage.
It comes after Kerry opened up to The Mirror about her diagnosis and how she was left in tears and bed bound due to the pain she was constantly suffering.
"I've lived with chronic pain for years, so to actually get a diagnosis and have a plan of action to try and give it treatment – I feel validated and cried because I was in so much pain," she said.
Greggs, Costa & Pret coffees have 'huge differences in caffeine', says reportThe mum-of-five continued: "Yeah, it was crippling – I got fed up with hearing myself complain, I'm so used to my pain, I will carry on with it. I'm always busy and work and I've got the kids, I always put myself last."
According to the , it's estimated that around three or four in every 1,000 children are suffering from scoliosis, with the condition being more common in women than it is in men.
Famous sufferers aside from Kerry include Princess Eugenie, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Usain Bolt, Elizabeth Taylor and Shailene Woodley.