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This week EastEnders character Tanya Jessop will be diagnosed with cervical cancer.
Macmillan Cancer Support has been working with the BBC1 soap alongside Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust to develop the storyline.
The character, played by actress Jo Joyner, will discover her diagnosis after visiting the doctor’s surgery’s following abnormal results in a routine smear test.
Ellen Lang is a senior Macmillan Cancer information nurse:
“Cervical cancer is sadly diagnosed in thousands of women every year in the UK, so we congratulate EastEnders for tackling this difficult subject that affects so many people. 822 people, like Tanya, are diagnosed with cancer every day. Most will feel overwhelmed when they are told that they have cancer, especially breaking the news to children and loved ones.” “It’s vitally important the cancer patient, and their family, get the support they need. We hope that anyone watching who is affected by this issue knows that they can get the support they need from Macmillan Cancer Support.”
“Cervical cancer is sadly diagnosed in thousands of women every year in the UK, so we congratulate EastEnders for tackling this difficult subject that affects so many people. 822 people, like Tanya, are diagnosed with cancer every day. Most will feel overwhelmed when they are told that they have cancer, especially breaking the news to children and loved ones.”
“It’s vitally important the cancer patient, and their family, get the support they need. We hope that anyone watching who is affected by this issue knows that they can get the support they need from Macmillan Cancer Support.”
After breast cancer, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women aged 35 and under. For more information about cervical cancer visit our cancer information pages|.
Macmillan Cancer Support improves the lives of people affected by cancer, providing practical, medical, emotional and financial support. Working alongside people affected by cancer, Macmillan works to improve cancer care. More than one in three of us get cancer. Two million of us are living with it. If you are affected by cancer Macmillan can help.
Call the Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm. Calls are free, including from mobiles or visit www.macmillan.org.uk|.