GMB's Susanna Reid admits she's 'in denial' about checking breasts

Daily Mirror

2 days ago

Good Morning Britain presenter Susanna Reid said she was 'in denial' about checking her breasts because she was worried about what she might find, despite knowing it was an 'irrational' fear
Good Morning Britain's Susanna Reid, 54, delved into the critical topic of breast cancer checks with I'm A Celebrity alum and Coppafeel ambassador Giovanna Fletcher today.
After pop star Jessie J disclosed her early breast cancer diagnosis, Susanna and Giovanna both emphasised the necessity of regular self-examinations.
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However, Susanna confessed her own hesitance, saying she feels "reluctant" to self-check as she's "worried" about potentially discovering something despite recognising this fear as "irrational".
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She elaborated on her feelings: "Psychologically there's a process of denial, if I don't find it, it's not there, and I don't need to worry about it."
Price Tag singer Jessie shared her health update on Instagram, receiving an outpouring of support from celebrities like Strictly's Amy Dowden and Nadia Sawalha from Loose Women.
In her candid post, Jessie revealed going through numerous tests, hanging onto the hope that detection was "holding on to the word 'early'" and adding a touch of humour: "It's a very dramatic way to get a boob job."
"I just wanted to be open and share it," Jessie asserted. "One, because, selfishly, I do not talk about it enough. I'm not processing it because I'm working so hard."
Noting the power of sharing, she said: "I also know how much sharing in the past has helped me with other people giving me their love and support and also their own stories. I'm an open book."
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She expressed deep empathy: "It breaks my heart that so many people are going through so much similar and worse - that's the bit that kills me."
On Good Morning Britain, Susanna highlighted the influence of celebrities like Jessie on public health actions, saying: "When somebody with Jessie J's profile speaks out, it really does have a direct impact on what people then do."
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She recalled how the Duchess of York's openness about her diagnosis prompted her own health checks: "I remember when the Duchess of York was open about her diagnosis, that meant that I went for a mammogram I had been delaying."
Susanna confessed her own hesitations about self-checking, admitting: "But I have to admit, and I'm sure I'm not alone, that I am sometimes reluctant to check myself because I am worried about what I might find, and that is entirely irrational, because as Jessie J points out, if there is something to find, it is better to get it early."
Giovanna concurred with the sentiment on the show: "Absolutely," she agreed. "We've got to not be scared about things like that, really."
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Susanna has been vocal about her experiences with mammograms in the past, citing the Duchess of York's breast cancer scare as a catalyst for her own screening.
After overcoming initial "hurdles" to attend her screening, Susanna shared her positive experience on the ITV morning show in 2023: "I went in, and the nurse was absolutely lovely, and it wasn't in the least bit painful or uncomfortable."
Her expectations were surpassed by the reality: "I was expecting it to be far, far worse."
She ended with a plea to viewers who might be apprehensive: "So if you have been putting it off for that reason, please don't. Go and get your mammogram done," she urged.
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV1.