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Lisa Riley Reveals Why She Avoids Genetic Testing for Breast Cancer After Mother’s Death

BBG News

Lisa Riley openly admits that she is a person who prefers to have things under her own control, explaining her decision to abstain from genetic testing for breast cancer.

48-year-old actress from Emmerdale sadly lost her mother Cath to a secondary form of breast cancer back in 2012, who was only 58 at the time.

After that point, Lisa took on the role as an advocate for breast cancer research and support organization, Breast Cancer Now. Interestingly, despite this, she opted against undergoing genetic testing for the illness.

In a heartfelt conversation for the Breast Cancer Now podcast conducted by Laura Price, who is bravely battling incurable secondary breast cancer, Lisa admitted, ‘I have a tendency to take charge and plan things meticulously…’

She clarified her reason for not taking the test: “I have the power to decide about being tested. I prefer not to let it control me instead.

I focus on living in the present moment, as that’s how I choose to navigate life. After all, none of us can predict what lies ahead for any of us. So, I prefer to live here and now, and avoid dwelling on the unknown.

Approximately 5-10% of women diagnosed with breast cancer have an inherited mutated gene, with the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes being the most prevalent among these.

A genetic mutation in the BRCA gene, commonly referred to as the “Jolie gene,” may elevate your susceptibility towards specific forms of cancer, such as breast cancer, and it can be passed down from either parent to their offspring, affecting both women and men alike.

Lisa’s personal experience with breast cancer has influenced her professional work as well, following the moving storyline in Emmerdale where her character, Mandy Dingle, was informed she might have a mutated BRCA gene last year.

Though Lisa hasn’t gone through genetic screening, she frankly discussed her decision for regular self-chosen mammography exams and the apprehension she feels concerning these procedures.

Though her latest mammogram showed no issues, Lisa remembered: ‘This was my third mammogram, and my mind was playing tricks on me. I thought to myself, “This is the third time around.”‘

‘I started saying third time not so lucky. That’s what kind of planted in my head.’

In 2012, when Lisa’s mother had sadly passed away, she participated in the competition for “Strictly Come Dancing” with the late professional dancer, Robin Windsor, that same year.

Speaking about the emotional struggles she experienced upon the conclusion of the show, Lisa mentioned that each week on Strictly, she felt as if she was dancing not just for herself, but for her mother too. As such, she found solace and healing in participating in Strictly Come Dancing, making it a unique form of therapy for her.

However, Strictly came to an end in February, following my tour, which left me with no escape route.

Instead of quitting my job when I felt the need for a break, I now realize that I should’ve continued my journey on the train. Taking off work in late February and all of March turned out to be quite risky for me, and it led me to an extremely unpleasant state.

She remarked: “The excitement surrounding Strictly came to an end. My father and I, as well as my brother, were all aboard the Strictly journey together. It provided comfort for everyone involved.

However, my father had become emotionally shattered. My sibling tends to bottle up feelings. By nature, I’m someone who takes charge…that’s what defines me. Regrettably, I neglected taking care of myself, and that was a blunder.

As a passionate advocate for health awareness, let me urge all women out there: Don’t bury your head in the sand! Regularly self-examine and, if you spot any changes, don’t hesitate to discuss them with your GP. Your health is precious, so take charge and stay informed!

Never bury your head in the sand when it comes to cancer; those additional three months might just be what saves your life.

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2025-03-14 15:20

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