Smillie bares all over her breast cancer fears

Published on Saturday 18 October 2008 19:42

HER wholesome girl-next-door image has helped to create one of Britain's most successful TV personalities.

But now Carol Smillie has revealed that a cancer scare inspired her to pose for a daring photoshoot.

The 46-year-old Changing Rooms host recently stripped off for a series of photographs to raise awareness about breast cancer.

The mother-of-three was initially in two minds over whether she should pose for the revealing pictures but said her own brushes with the condition persuaded her to go for it.

Smillie used the opportunity to speak publicly for the first time about how she once feared she might have breast cancer and had to have a precautionary operation.

She said: "As with all cancers, breast cancer doesn't discriminate. It can happen to anyone.

"I had to have a lump removed years ago, but I was one of the lucky ones – it turned out to be a cyst."

But the Glaswegian revealed that a close friend of hers was not so fortunate and had to have one of her breasts removed.

"It was horrendous watching what she went through. You start to realise that what you have is so precious. It opened up a whole discussion with friends about what we did and didn't know about breast cancer. I was surprised at how few of us had checked our breasts recently."

The former Strictly Come Dancing contestant urged women not to follow their example and told them not to panic if they found anything suspicious.

She said: "I know some women think that a lump equals dying of cancer, but that's not true. My friend lost her breast, but she is alive.

"The fact that she went to the doctor as soon as she found a lump saved her.

"I check my boobs regularly now and I'll definitely be attending my free breast screening checks when I turn 50."

The presenter, who shot to fame on the game show Wheel Of Fortune, admitted that she almost turned down the women's magazine photoshoot because of concerns about her age.

Speaking before the shoot, she said on her video blog: "I have been asked to pose topless for a breast cancer campaign. I thought long and hard about it, as I heard that a lot of the others who have been asked are a lot younger than me. However, it's a great cause so I agreed to do it. Yep. They are coming out."

Smillie, who appeared wearing nothing but a string of pearls and a strategically placed pink sheet, was the oldest of the celebrities taking part.

Others included 60 Minute Makeover presenter Hannah Sandling, 31; Strictly Come Dancing star Lilia Kopylova, 30; former Bill actress Beth Cordingly, 31; and X Factor contestant Niki Evans, 35, who revealed that she allowed a lump in her right breast to grow to the size of a lemon before she went to seek medical help.

Breast Cancer Care praised Smillie for having the courage to come forward and speak publicly about her experiences.

A spokeswoman for the charity said: "Celebrity support and willingness to talk about the issue and any personal experience they may have had is an incredibly powerful way of getting the message out to more people.

"While breast cancer incidence is increasing, more people are surviving the disease and greater breast awareness among the public has helped make this happen.

"Our research at Breast Cancer Care has shown that the majority of older women are still unaware that the greatest risk factor for the disease is increasing age. Women must remain breast aware throughout their lives, and to see Carol Smillie draw attention to this is a huge help."

The former Hutchesons' Grammar School pupil has been a constant fixture on British TV for more than 20 years and has fronted a host of shows including Smillie's People and Postcode Challenge.

Her upbeat onscreen persona and dazzling grin led to the Scot being lampooned by Ronni Ancona in the BBC show Big Impression, which popularised the catchphrase: "I'm smiley, smiley Carol Smillie".

But, keen to undermine her "butter wouldn't melt" image, Smillie raised eyebrows and gained rave reviews last year when she toured Scotland in a production of The Vagina Monologues.

She also caused controversy after admitting that she cheated on the entry exam for the high-IQ organisation Mensa.

The former fashion model was trying to prove that game show hostesses were not dumb and gained an impressive score of 148. It was later revoked when her ruse was revealed.

Famous inspiration – celebrities who have overcome breast cancer

&#149 KYLIE MINOGUE The Australian superstar halted touring after being diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer in May 2005. After six months of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, she announced the treatment had been successful and returned to play a series of triumphant gigs across Europe.

&#149 CYNTHIA NIXON The Sex And The City star learned she had breast cancer in 2002. After returning to full health, the actress became a breast cancer activist and fronted a show on the US station NBC to raise awareness about the condition.

&#149 OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN The Grease star has worked tirelessly to raise the profile of breast cancer since her diagnosis in 1992. She is currently fundraising to open a specialist cancer-care centre in Melbourne.

&#149 RICHARD ROUNDTREE The American actor, who gained rave reviews for his performance in the lead role of the 1970 film Shaft, is living proof breast cancer doesn't just affect women. He made a full recovery and now works to raise awareness among men.