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Nightwish singer Floor Jansen, 41, reveals cancer diagnosis-Mel Evans-Entertainment – Metro
The vocalist, who joined the band in 2013, revealed she will undergo surgery and radiation threatment.
Floor Jansen shared a lengthy statement revealing her diagnosis (Picture: Sven Hoogerhuis/BSR Agency/Getty Images)
Dutch rocker Floor Jansen, vocalist for heavy metal band Nightwish, has revealed she’s been diagnosed with breast cancer.
The 41-year-old symphonic heavy metal star, who joined the band as a permanent member in 2013, and made her recorded debut on their 2015 album Endless Forms Most Beautiful, explained she was given the diagnosis just over two weeks ago after a standard mammogram checkup, having not noticed any symptoms.
Despite saying the word cancer is a ‘shocker’ she reassured her fans that it’s a ‘non-aggressive’ form of cancer and her prognosis is ‘very good’.
In a social media statement, she said: ‘A letter to you. Life comes in waves, with ups and downs.
‘I have had the joy of riding many highs, and I have shared these with you through social media and the many many shows worldwide throughout the many years of my career.
‘But now a new wave hit me. Not a good one. I have breast cancer. It was diagnosed a little over 2 weeks ago and I will have surgery tomorrow to remove the tumour.’
Floor insisted her prognosis was good (Picture: Didier Messens/Redferns)
She’s set to have surgery and radiotherapy (Picture: Gina Wetzler/Redferns)
The star went on to say she is set to undergo radiation therapy after the surgery, and expects to be ‘cancer-free’ after the procedure while she will also keep her breast.
She went on: ‘My prognosis is very good!!! It seems to be a non-aggressive cancer, which seems to not have spread. I will keep my breast. And I will be cancer free after this surgery, plus a local radiation treatment that will take place three months after this surgery, hopefully. We will know more after the surgery to see if this positive prognosis stands.’
Breast cancer symptoms:
According to NHS guidance, the first symptom of breast cancer that most notice is a lump or an area of thickened tissue in their breast.
Most breast lumps are not cancerous, but it’s always best to have them checked by a doctor.
It’s advised you should see a GP if you notice any of the following:
a new lump or area of thickened tissue in either breast that was not there before
a change in the size or shape of one or both breasts
a discharge of fluid from either of your nipples
a lump or swelling in either of your armpits
a change in the look or feel of your skin, such as puckering or dimpling, a rash or redness
a rash (like eczema), crusting, scaly or itchy skin or redness on or around your nipple
a change in the appearance of your nipple, such as becoming sunken into your breast
It’s also noted breast pain is not usually a symptom of breast cancer.
Floor – who has five-year-old daughter Freja with fellow musician husband Hannes Van Dahl – has implored people to attend their mammogram appointments, as without it, her cancer would have gone undetected.
She said: ‘The word cancer is a shocker. All that you found important in life before this diagnosis changes radically within minutes. Now I just want to be healthy again. I want to see my daughter grow into a woman; I want to live!
‘And the scariest part of this diagnosis is that I thought I was healthy! I didn’t feel the cancer, I didn’t know it was there until I, as a 40+ woman, went to a standard mammogram checkup. Something many countries offer, for free even for the lucky ones.’
Floor continued: ‘Had I not gone there, the tumour would have gone undetected. In a year from now this could have grown much bigger. The thought of that makes me share this story with you. A mammogram is lifesaving!
‘It’s uncomfortable and you might think that you won’t have something in your breasts anyway but GO! And for the men reading this: remind your wife, girlfriend, mother, sister to go and get checked. Even without the luxury I as a western woman experience with free mammogram checkups: GO! Luckily, there are many organisations that offer information about self-detection if you do not have access or funds for a mammogram.’
How should you check your breasts for lumps or irregularities?
Discussing the importance of being breast aware, Addie Mitchell, clinical nurse specialist at Breast Cancer Now, wants women to know there is no right or wrong way to check your breasts.
‘It’s about looking and feeling regularly so any changes can be spotted quickly,’ she said. ‘The sooner breast cancer is diagnosed, the more effective treatment may be.
‘Whatever your age, being aware of all the signs and symptoms of breast cancer is crucial – it’s not just a lump to look out for. Other changes could be a nipple becoming inverted or a change in texture of the skin.
‘While most symptoms won’t mean breast cancer, if you notice anything unusual for you get it checked out by your GP.
‘Anyone with questions can call Breast Cancer Now’s nurses free on 0808 800 6000 or visit breastcancernow.org.uk.’
The singer hopes to be well enough to embark on Nightwish’s upcoming European tour, which kicks off on November 20 in Antwerp, Belgium.
She added: ‘If I might inspire you to take good care of yourself, then something good will come out of this cancer diagnosis.
‘If all goes as planned, I will be up and running in time for the European tour with Nightwish, that will start on the 20th of November! And I am optimistic since my prognosis is good! I promise to take good care of myself.
‘I will be off the grid for a while to focus on myself. (sic)’
Macmillan cancer support
If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with cancer, Macmillan can offer support and information.
You can contact their helpline on 0808 808 00 00 (7 days a week from 8am to 8pm), use their webchat service, or visit their site for more information.
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