Strictly Come Dancing star confirms double mastectomy in emotional health update

Former Strictly Come Dancing star Kara Tointon has revealed that she has undergone a double mastectomy as she shares her recent health battle. The 41-year-old - who played the role of Dawn Swann in EastEnders - had a double mastectomy after finding out that she carries the BRCA1 gene.

Taking to Instagram on Wednesday (May 28), Kara shared an emotional post about her recent health ordeal with her loyal legion of fans online. She explained how she made the difficult decision to go under the knife after losing her mum to ovarian cancer back in 2018. In the post she revealed to fans how she has undergone a double mastectomy and had he fallopian tubes removed.

In a video with The Eve Appeal, which is a leading gynaecological cancer charity, Kara got candid with viewers. The post began: "This is personal, but important.

"I am sharing with you my journey with the BRCA1 gene. It's about understanding, choices, and taking control. Hope this helps someone out there."

In the video, Kara could be seen wearing a grey hoodie as she explained her experience on her health journey. She told viewers: "You may have heard of BRCA genes type 1 and 2 and as a carrier it means that I am at a greater risk of both breast and ovarian cancer.

"Back in 2018 when my mum was undergoing treatment for ovarian cancer, I was asked to take a genetics test. There is a history of both cancers in my family but for various reasons including generational trauma of which I'll talk more about another time, we hadn't looked into it until that point."

She went on: "But it was put to us, we took the test and it was confirmed that my mum and I both carried the gene." Kara, who is a mother of two, said that her family was at the forefront of her mind when making the tough decision.

The actress recalled: "I was pregnant with my first child at the time, I knew I wanted more children if possible so over the next couple of years I was invited to various meetings by the NHS to really become informed and to understand all my options.

"Last year having had my second son in 2021 and deciding that our family was complete, I underwent two preventative sugeries. The first a double mastectomy and the second a two-part protector study, a trial.

"They believe that ovarian cancer begins in the fallobian tubes so by removing them first checking out you can remove the ovaries later."

The actress, who previously won Strictly Come Dancing, spoke about how going through the extensive tests made her want to book in for the surgery.

She added: "We are finding out more and more about the personal genetics and most people believe in surveillance, but after doing this for a couple of years, having MRIs, waiting for biopsy, we decided that this was the right decision for me and my family."

Kara then spoke about it not being an easy decision to make but was grateful that she went through with it. She explained: "It wasn't an easy decision, but one I am very glad that I made. I can now with hindsight talk about it properly."

Concluding the video, Kara said: "I'd like to thank my surgeons Dr Adam Rosenthal and Dr Gerard Cuie, I can't thank them enough.

"I wanted to talk about it because hearing other people's experience, helped so much and knowledge is power, communication is key, getting to know our bodies, our cycles is only a good thing, but I'll be talking about this a lot more. Happy Lippy month and take care."

It didn't take long before her famous friends and loyal legion of fans flooded to the comments to pass on their well wishes online. Charley Webb gushed: "You're amazing for sharing your story" as Giovanna Fletcher added: "Love you so very much my friend!!!"

Another fan gushed: "Amazing that you've shared your story. Sorry to hear you've been through such a difficult journey involving brave choices. You're a great ambassador and I'm sure you'll inspire and inform many people. Sending love [heart emoji]."