A Coronation Street star has recalled the shock moment she was diagnosed with breast cancer just weeks after giving birth, revealing she was left feeling angry rather than afraid.
Victoria Ekanoye, best known for playing Angie Appleton on the ITV soap, was diagnosed during one of the most difficult periods of her life – in the middle of the Covid pandemic and shortly after welcoming her son Theo.
Speaking exclusively to Daily Star in collaboration with BestBettingSites.co.uk, Victoria explained Theo was just six months old when she discovered a lump while breastfeeding. It was also the middle of the pandemic, which rocked everybody to their core, she said. Theo was six months old when I found the lump, and I was breastfeeding.
Victoria opened up about her tough health journey. She also revealed she had a strong family history of the disease, with her mother among several relatives who have been affected. I have a really strong family history – I am the fifth person now to develop breast cancer, my mum being one of them, she said.
Victoria admitted the emotional impact was overwhelming, particularly given everything else happening around her at the time. The main emotion I felt was anger before anything else. Not fear or worry – anger. I thought: really? Covid is here, we have just had a baby, it is already tough.
She added that her partner's mother had also just been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, compounding the family's distress. I kind of thought: what will my partner do if he loses me and his mum? It is unimaginable.
Despite being told by two medical professionals that she was fine, Victoria said she trusted her instincts. This was after two medical professionals had already told me I was fine. But I knew in my body. I have sickle cell, so I am very body aware and have to be.
She said her mindset quickly shifted to survival and determination. I have far too much to achieve. I have a baby to raise. I had to be strong enough to get through it so nobody else needed to worry, she said. And I refuse to become a victim of what happens to me. I am not a result of my adversities — I am a result of my triumphs.
Victoria also credited her support network for helping her through the ordeal, including her partner, mother, sister and close friends. Looking ahead, she says the experience has completely changed her outlook on work and life. I am very acutely aware of how quickly my son is growing up and the time I can never get back, she said. I am really strategic about the work I do now. I want to create my own projects, dictate my own schedule, and take him with me sometimes.
She added that her son is now her biggest motivation, alongside her desire to give back to her mother. He is incredibly special and he has been through a lot to be here. He is a huge driving force for me, she said. My mum has been my biggest champion. I want to give her everything to say thank you.
