Anne Nolan has revealed she is officially cancer-free, describing the moment she opened an NHS letter confirming she was all clear after five years in remission. The 74-year-old singer admitted she had been consumed by fear and initially set the letter aside, given the loss of her sisters Bernie and Linda to the disease.
Anne, a member of the Nolan sisters, was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000 and again 20 years later. Both times the cancer was caught early, and she underwent surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. She said she felt emotional and relieved upon reading the letter, but her joy was tinged with sadness as she thought of her sisters, who were not as fortunate.
Linda died in January aged 65, with her cancer having spread, while Bernie died in 2013 at 52. Anne spoke of her discomfort with the phrase "fighting cancer," saying she believes she has simply been lucky. She also opened up about the lasting impact of her treatment during the pandemic, which left her with anxiety about dying and required her to take medication.
During her hospital stay, she was unable to see her family for 11 days, with only her sister-in-law and brother-in-law being able to visit because they worked at the hospital. Anne said she still has anxieties about the cancer returning, explaining: "I don't want to die, I love being alive."
Anne said she wants to watch her two daughters and three grandchildren grow up, and her experiences have made her value life more. She now tries to say yes to every opportunity, embracing life to the full.
