Actress Cheryl Fergison has asked women to get unusual symptoms checked after her womb cancer was diagnosed. The EastEnders actress, 58, who played Heather Trott in the BBC soap from 2007 until 2012, revealed her secret womb cancer battle in an interview over the weekend.

Cheryl kept her health problems private after getting the diagnosis nine years ago. She has now explained how two worrying symptoms prompted her to seek medical help.

The actress received her diagnosis after attending a regular smear test, which came back clear. She then started experiencing back pain and spotting blood. She says, ‘Somehow, I just knew something didn’t feel right.’ Four months later, she was diagnosed with stage two womb cancer. Cheryl said hearing the news was like an ‘out-of-body experience.’ She was shocked. She couldn’t believe the doctor was talking about her. Cheryl was also recommended for a total hysterectomy just weeks later. 

She said this was hard for her because she might want to have another child. She also said she thought she was going to die after being diagnosed in 2015. She told OK! Magazine: ‘There were some dark moments, especially at night, when I thought, ‘Am I going to die?’ Am I going to leave my husband and son without a mum?

‘I’m ready to talk about it now. My story will help other women.

‘I’ve been through a lot, but I’m still here. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.’

Cheryl now lives with her husband of 12 years, Yassine. She has a son, Alex, 24, from her first marriage to Jamshed Siddiqi. 

She was only married to Yassine when she was diagnosed and felt sad that she couldn’t have children. She told a few friends, including Dame Barbara Windsor, June Brown, and Steve McFadden. She also told Paul O’Grady and Julian Clary. She was given the all-clear last year.

Earlier this month, Cheryl was rushed to the hospital after being in a lot of pain. She said she was treated for an infection but was soon home and recovering.

In her statement, Cheryl said her 24-hour stay in A&E was an eye-opening experience. She has been in and out of hospital for nine years due to severe health conditions. She thanked the Blackpool & Victoria Teaching Hospital staff for treating her for an infection with antibiotics. 

‘I’m glad to say the infection is getting better. I’m home and on the road to recovery. My family has been by my side.

Cheryl said her previous health battles had been ‘scary’ and ‘unsettling.’ She described the NHS as ‘broken’ and ‘neglected’.

She said she looked forward to improving and returning to work at Whispers Café in Lytham.

Cheryl was in EastEnders for five years as the loveable Heather Trott. She was killed by Ben Mitchell in 2012. 

The soap bosses decided her character’s death, not Cheryl herself. She told Best Magazine, ‘It was a bittersweet day. What you get with one hand, you get taken away with another!’ I knew it was coming, but it was still a shock.

A source told The Sun that her exit was due to her character becoming unpopular.