Coronation Street’s Victoria Ekanoye, 39, reveals she has cancer

Coronation Street star Victoria Ekanoye has revealed she has been diagnosed with breast cancer just months after welcoming her first child. 

The soap actress, 39, spoke to OK! Magazine about the heartbreaking news, as she revealed she discovered a lump in her breast while feeding Theo, 11 months, who she shares with husband Jonny Lomas, before doctors investigated. 

She said: ‘I was diagnosed on October 13 with DCIS, which is Ductal carcinoma in situ. It basically means that cells have turned cancerous within the milk ducts.’ 

Earlier this year, Victoria, who played Angie Appleton in the soap, revealed she feared her ‘miracle’ baby boy would die during her traumatic three-day labour due to complications involving her sickle cell anaemia.  

Victoria told the publication: ‘Back in July I was feeding Theo and I noticed there was a small lump protruding at the top of my left breast.

‘My mum had breast cancer at 41, and her sister at 39 – so many people in my family, in fact. So I don’t really leave any time before I check these things…

‘I was diagnosed on the thirteenth of October with DCIS, which is Ductal carcinoma in situ. It basically means that cells have turned cancerous within the milk ducts… 

‘We’re being really optimistic, and positive, and really lucky that we’ve caught it as early as we have. I don’t know if lucky is the right word, but that’s how I feel.’

Shock: The soap actress, 39, spoke to OK! Magazine about the heartbreaking new, as she revealed she discovered a lump in her breast while feeding Theo, 11 months, who she shares with husband Jonny Lomas, before doctors investigated 

Breastcancer.org defines DCIS as: ‘Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is non-invasive breast cancer. Ductal means that the cancer starts inside the milk ducts, carcinoma refers to any cancer that begins in the skin or other tissues (including breast tissue) that cover or line the internal organs, and in situ means “in its original place.”

‘DCIS is called “non-invasive” because it hasn’t spread beyond the milk duct into any normal surrounding breast tissue. DCIS isn’t life-threatening, but having DCIS can increase the risk of developing an invasive breast cancer later on.’

In March, Victoria revealed she feared her ‘miracle’ baby boy would die during her traumatic three-day labour.

The actress gave birth to her first child, a boy named Théodore Christopher on January 16, with complications due to her sickle cell anaemia. 

Terrified: In March, Victoria revealed she feared her ‘miracle’ baby boy would die during her traumatic three-day labour

Victoria told how she and Jonny worried that their baby ‘wouldn’t make it’, adding how the thought of losing her son willed her to push through the painful labour which left her struggling to walk or speak.

Victoria was induced on January 13th at 39 weeks, however, it wasn’t until three days later that she gave birth.

She then told how due to her sickle cell anaemia, she was advised to have pain relief during the labour, however, she suffered a severe reaction to the drugs, resulting in her throwing up and struggling to function.

She explained: ‘With sickle cell it’s not advised to have a birth without painkillers as it can trigger a sickle cell crisis [episodes of pain], so I was induced and put on pain medication. But I had a really bad reaction.