Coleen Nolan revealed she was left stunned after learning a family member had received a cancer diagnosis just months after the disease took her sister's life.
The Loose women star lost her sister Linda to cancer earlier this year and had previously lost another sister, Bernie, in 2013 due to breast cancer. Coleen, 60, is now grappling with the news of her 69-year-old brother Brian's prostate cancer diagnosis.
The recent diagnosis left Coleen speechless, sparking concerns over her own mortality and fuelling her health anxiety. In an interview with Bella, Coleen acknowledged the immense impact on her and her acceptance that cancer has become a part of her family's reality.
Coleen recounted her immediate response: "I couldn't speak. I went completely numb and, about an hour later I wanted to punch walls and scream. In our family, cancer's just there."
However, Coleen drew strength from her brother's positivity, stating: "But [Brian] was so positive and I'm just so proud of him. We're a family that treat everything with as much humour as possible and we go, 'Okay, we can face this together.' That's what we'll do."
With another family member now battling cancer, Coleen is openly discussing her own health fears and anxieties, including age-related concerns and the potential for developing specific conditions. Coleen has reportedly told her children to place her in a care home and "walk away" if she ever gets diagnosed with dementia, reports the BBC.
The loss of Coleen's mother to Alzheimer's disease in 2007 at the age of 81 profoundly affected her.
She shared with the broadcaster that while dealing with numerous family members battling cancer was difficult, her mother's demise was the most harrowing experience for her and her family.
Coleen remarked: "Having had many family members now with cancer, and losing them to that, my mum's condition was the most traumatic for me - and for us as a family.
"When my sisters had cancer they were still aware. You could talk about things and say your goodbyes and hear their wishes."
Regarding her own potential diagnosis of dementia, Coleen has been candid with her three children about her wishes, reports Leicestershire Live.
She expressed: "It's my biggest fear and I've actually said to my kids if it happens - God forbid - put me in a home and walk away, because I won't know and it's awful.
"Of course they're going 'like we're going to put you in a home and walk away' and I'm said 'I'm telling you if you decide to do that, don't ever feel guilty because that's what I want you to do ... as long as it's a nice home'!".
Beyond her concerns about health – an anxiety shared by many across the UK – Coleen has also been open about her romantic life, acknowledging that although she hasn't found love again, she isn't actively seeking it at the moment.
In conversation with Katie Piper, the ITV presenter revealed: "I haven't found love again, but right now, I've not been looking for it.... I do think the best ways are the organic ways and it's normally through friends or colleagues or they introduce you to someone."
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