Kerry Katona confronts cancer fears and plans for children's future amid health crisis

Kerry Katona has bravely spoken out about her terrifying cancer scare and the fear of dying, revealing that she's already making plans for her children.

The former Atomic Kitten star has been enduring agonising symptoms for months, including losing large, dark clumps of blood and experiencing painful bleeding after intercourse. However, when she recently had three periods within a single month, despite her fears, she compelled herself to get tested for cancer.

She told OK! Magazine: "The pain became unbearable, I'm used to feeling sore because of my scoliosis, but it was getting to the point I wasn't sleeping. I would be up all night and I'd also isolate myself one week every month because I couldn't do anything. I couldn't move and I'd be constantly crying."

The 43 -year -old, who was diagnosed with endometriosis in 2020, was hospitalised two months ago. This condition is where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows in other places, like the ovaries and fallopian tubes, causing pain and fertility problems, reports OK!.

But when Kerry's pain escalated and left her in tears, doctors decided to conduct further tests.That's when they discovered blood in Kerry's cervix.

"I remember screaming and crying in pain, so I went for an internal scan and they found a cyst on my right ovary," she said. "That didn't concern them as much because I have endometriosis, but when they discovered I had blood in my cervix, they were concerned."

In an attempt to distract herself from her worries while awaiting further information, Kerry flew to Spain with her fiance Ryan Mahoney, 36. However, she confessed that she found herself in a dark place and started making plans for her children's future.

Kerry, who is mother to Molly, 22, Lilly, 21, Heidi, 17, Max, 16, and Dylan-Jorge, 10, said: "When I got that news, in my head I thought 'I've got cancer, I'm going to die'. That's why Ryan and I went away by ourselves. I was in so much pain on holiday at one point I was at the pool bent over and crying. It felt like someone had a Stanley knife and was cutting me inside. And the pain didn't stop in one area it goes to my hips, my back and my legs feel like they're being ripped apart.

"I was terrified and said to Ryan, 'We need to get married right now and you need to adopt DJ'. If I die, she doesn't have a legal guardian [DJ's dad George Kay died in 2019 from cocaine toxicity] so I was forced to have those conversations. Ryan has basically raised DJ but we need to work out a plan if the worst happens and get all our ducks in a row. So many things were going through my head, like it being cervical cancer or womb cancer."

Just after returning from a holiday she'd hoped would bring some tranquillity, Kerry was urgently scanned. Doctors confirmed there were no signs of cancer but it left Kerry with yet more questions.

"The tests showed there's no cancer in my cervix, which is great news and put my mind at ease a bit, but the pain hasn't stopped," she explained. Considering her options, she said, "It's made me consider a hysterectomy. I'm at an age where I don't want any more kids so if it could help with the constant pain I'm in, then I'm seriously thinking about it."

Though free from immediate threat, the spectre of her family's cancer-ridden history haunts her.

She further disclosed, "My biological dad died at 63 due to gullet cancer, my mum was 30 when she got cancer and my grandma also had breast cancer. My health scare put things into perspective. It also made me worry if cancer is common in our family, will my kids be affected too? Plus, a few years ago I found a lump in my armpit. It was not long after Sarah Harding passed away. At the time it felt like my life flashed before my eyes. But, if I'm 100% honest, I put off going to the doctor because I was scared. I'm now finding out and, coupled with my other cancer scare, I feel like I need answers when it comes to my health. I went private and contacted Dr Andre Brittain-Dissont who arranged an HrC early detection cancer screening test performed by Oxford Natural Clinic."

The health scare forced her to confront lifes fragility and consider her children's futures. "My biological dad died at 63 due to gullet cancer, my mum was 30 when she got cancer and my grandma also had breast cancer. My health scare put things into perspective. It also made me worry if cancer is common in our family, will my kids be affected too? Plus, a few years ago I found a lump in my armpit. It was not long after Sarah Harding passed away. At the time it felt like my life flashed before my eyes. But, if I'm 100% honest, I put off going to the doctor because I was scared. I'm now finding out and, coupled with my other cancer scare, I feel like I need answers when it comes to my health. I went private and contacted Dr Andre Brittain-Dissont who arranged an HrC early detection cancer screening test performed by Oxford Natural Clinic."

Moreover, a few years ago, I discovered a lump in my armpit. This was shortly after the passing of Sarah Harding.

"At that moment, it felt as if my life was flashing before my eyes. However, to be completely honest, I delayed visiting the doctor due to fear.

Now, with my previous cancer scare, I feel the need for clarity regarding my health. I sought private medical help and got in touch with Dr Andre Brittain-Dissont who organised an HrC early detection cancer screening test conducted by Oxford Natural Clinic."

As Kerry anxiously awaits her results, she believes it's crucial to raise awareness about prioritising one's health.

"It's been costly but absolutely worth it it could potentially save my life," she expressed. "Dr Andre Brittain-Dissont's blood tests will indicate whether my risk of developing cancer is low or high, and if I have precancerous cells before they become aggressive."

"Many of us who exhibit symptoms can be too frightened to visit the doctor because we don't want to hear the 'C' word. But the sooner you do, the better your chances of survival."