Gemma Collins is undergoing a possibly life-saving gene test after her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer that was detected “just in time.”
The 42-year-old reality star stated that her mother discovered a malignant growth between her breast and armpit.
Joan Collins, 67, opted not to notify Gemma about the dreadful illness until she received the all-clear, but the shock of learning of her mother’s battle has prompted the Only Way Is Essex actress to take precautionary measures.
The Diva Forever personality has previously lost a family member to the condition, so she isn’t putting her own health at risk.
Describing the moment her mum opened up about her breast cancer, Gemma told The Sun: ‘It was over the phone. I was in the back of a taxi in London and I was like, “Are you all right, mum? Where are you?” – as we say every day, ten times a day.
‘She said, “Ah I didn’t want to tell you, but I’ve had a lump in my breast.” I was like, “What?”, and she said, “But it’s fine I’ve got the all-clear”. I was like, “Oh, my God. Why didn’t you tell me?”
Gemma was filming Diva Forever at the time, so her mother opted not to notify her about the diagnosis for fear of her breaking down.
‘Thank God she got it checked and thank God they caught it in the nick of time,’ the star concluded, before adding she’d ‘love’ to get a BRCA test for ‘peace of mind’.
The BRCA gene test examines DNA to determine the likelihood of developing breast cancer in the future.
If a patient has a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation, they have a 70% risk of having breast cancer before the age of 80.
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Gemma encouraged other ladies to examine themselves for lumps and get advice from the NHS if they are concerned.
The celebrity also claimed that she chose to participate in Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer because it was “the right time” to come up about her mother’s cancer.
In an exclusive interview with Metro.co.uk, she also joked that meeting Paul Hollywood in person was another reason for her participation on the show.
‘He is gorgeous,’ she said, ahead of the show airing tonight on Channel 4.
‘I can confirm to every woman on the planet that he is unbelievable in the flesh.’
The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer is on Sunday at 7.40pm on Channel 4.