Monday, 28 March 2011

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Hollyoaks actress Gemma Merna left 'terrified' after secret cancer scare

Hollyoaks star found a lump in her breast

Gemma Merna went from a 32B to a 30FF when she had breast implants at 21

Hollyoaks actress Gemma Merna has revealed she feared the worst when she found a lump in one of breasts.

Gemma, who plays Carmel McQueen in the soap, had a boob job at 21 and discovered the lump under one of her implants.

'I do check my breasts regularly,' says Gemma, 26.

'I was getting my make-up done at Hollyoaks when I noticed a tender area under my left armpit.

'So I just felt the area and found a lump.

'It was only quite small but I was scared. I was worried it had been there for ages.

'That was really terrifying, knowing something could be growing but hidden because of the implants.

'I did panic but I put the word cancer to the back of my mind.'

Gemma quickly rang her doctor and was referred to a specialist, who fortunately told her it was just benign tissue.

'Even though she said my breasts were perfect I still struggled to accept it,' she tells the News Of The World.

'I broke down in tears. I'd tried to stay positive and all the emotion welled up in me.

'I didn't realise until then just how much it had affected me.'

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Esme Riley