 but Coleen told us about her diagnosis weeks ago, while we were on a big family weekend away I arranged. (Thanks Col... Parade, rain?) We were sitting down to fish and chips, all 22 of us, because that's the kind of classy family we are - they were actually in boxes, so very classy - and she just came out with it. I went, 'Oh my God, well thanks for letting us know…!' And she said 'Well, I didn't want to phone you and say 'I have skin cancer'', to which I replied: 'Yes indeed Coleen, this is my baby!' Laugh a minute, us. I'm so glad she did tell us. I suspect she felt awkward, and she's not often openly emotional, but we can support her now, just as the whole family has me. That's been crucial as I face my cancer. They bring me comfort but we also make jokes - that's us, we laugh about it, we have a dark side to our humour. And I've also learnt if you let people in, it also helps them. Cancer's hard on everyone. We've even said we'll go and stay with Coleen - although God forbid, I think she'd rather have cancer! If cancer could just leave us alone now, that'd be great. It affects 1 in 2 people, so us Nolans are certainly no different to anyone. But hopefully by us talking about it, we'll prompt eve){kind=link}
On Monday’s Loose Women my sister spoke about her diagnosis of common skin cancer after spotting a patch of discoloured skin on her shoulder
Unbelievably – or perhaps very believably given us Nolans’ track record – I’m starting my first column talking not about my own cancer, as planned, but my sister Coleen’s.
Upstaged, every time!
In all seriousness, the news my little sister has now joined this particular club has shaken us all.
On Monday’s Loose Women she spoke about her diagnosis of common skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma, after spotting a patch of discoloured skin on her shoulder. It will need to be treated with chemo cream.