Jackie ‘O’ undergoes live breast exam after radio colleague’s cancer diagnosis

Jackie ‘O’ Henderson underwent a breast examination live on air in a bid to encourage other women to self-check for cancer symptoms.

The presenter took part in a breast cancer awareness drive on Thursday’s Kyle and Jackie O Show after fellow radio star Ali Clarke revealed her own cancer diagnosis.

As part of the push, Jackie, 49, bravely underwent a breast examination live on the program as a doctor came into the studio to help check her for any symptoms.

Footage of the health check shows the medic conducting the exam underneath her jumper, explaining that he was looking for changes in breast tissue or any lumps or bumps.

After the check, Jackie looked visibly relieved as the doctor informed her she was all clear, while her colleagues showed their support for her and told her ‘well done’.

The awareness push is part of KIIS Network’s new campaign #KIISBreastCheckDay, which has the tagline ‘Have you felt yours lately?’, to remind listeners to check their breasts once a month.

As well as the Kyle and Jackie O Show, The Pick Up with Brittany, Laura & Mitch, Robin & Kip in the Mornings, and Will & Woody are all helping to spread the word.

The campaign aims to normalise and promote regular self-exams as a crucial health habit and was inspired by radio host Ali Clarke speaking out about her breast cancer diagnosis.

Jackie ‘O’ Henderson underwent a breast examination live on air in a bid to encourage other women to self-check for cancer symptoms

Following her announcement, BreastScreen SA reportedly recorded their second-biggest day of bookings ever, with 779 women scheduling breast screens. 

‘We are incredibly proud to launch this initiative,’ ARN’s chief strategy and connections officer Lauren Joyce said of Kiss Breast Check Day, which will occur on the first day of every month.

‘Ali’s bravery has inspired a wave of action, and we want to keep that momentum going. Regular self-checks can make a huge difference, and we’re here to remind our listeners to take that important step.’

Last week, Adelaide radio star Ali broke down in tears when she revealed she had been diagnosed with cancer live on Max & Ali in the Morning.

She shocked listeners when she announced she will take a break from radio as she undergoes treatment for breast cancer.

‘I thought it was very small and manageable. But found quite a lot of small little cancers. And so that means that I’ll be going in for some pretty big surgery later this week, and I’ll have to take some time off to recover as you can imagine,’ she shared.

As part of the push, Jackie, 49, underwent a breast examination live on the show as a doctor came into the studio to help check her for any symptoms before giving her the all-clear

‘You know, you know me it’s I’ve never dressed skimpily like I’ve never put my boobs on display. They’ve absolutely been functional. In fact, when I was growing up, you know, they almost got in the way of playing sport.’

The radio host broke down in tears as she emotionally opened up about ‘losing a part’ of herself.

‘I’ve really battled with myself, between being angry at myself for almost feeling vain about losing a part of me,’ she said.

‘But when I sit back and try to reason with it, I’m about to lose a part of me that society has forever told me actually makes me a woman and it’s absolutely necessary, and the other biggest part of my brain knows that this is really what needs to happen for me to be good.’

Despite the heartbreaking diagnosis, Ali admitted she is ‘so freakin’ lucky’ regarding the quality of healthcare she’s received so far.

Ali then called into the radio show on Tuesday morning to reveal that she has undergone a mastectomy – a surgery to remove the entire breast and tissue.

The awareness drive comes after Adelaide radio star Ali Clarke (pictured) broke down in tears when she revealed she had been diagnosed with cancer live on Max & Ali in the Morning 

‘The doctor says it all went so well and so amazingly, so much so, that I’m actually home now,’ she said.

Mother-of-three Ali said the surgery took several hours and she will need to wait for results to see whether any more treatment is needed.

‘My biggest relief was when the kids [Eloise, Samuel and Madeline] came in and I asked them if they wanted to have a look and they all said yes, and they didn’t recoil,’ she added.

Ali shares her three beloved children with her husband, ALFW Adelaide Crows Coach Matthew Clarke.

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world and affects more than two MILLION women a year

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. Each year in the UK there are more than 55,000 new cases, and the disease claims the lives of 11,500 women. In the US, it strikes 266,000 each year and kills 40,000. But what causes it and how can it be treated?

What is breast cancer?

It comes from a cancerous cell which develops in the lining of a duct or lobule in one of the breasts.

When the breast cancer has spread into surrounding tissue it is called ‘invasive’. Some people are diagnosed with ‘carcinoma in situ’, where no cancer cells have grown beyond the duct or lobule.

Most cases develop in those over the age of 50 but younger women are sometimes affected. Breast cancer can develop in men, though this is rare.

Staging indicates how big the cancer is and whether it has spread. Stage 1 is the earliest stage and stage 4 means the cancer has spread to another part of the body.

The cancerous cells are graded from low, which means a slow growth, to high, which is fast-growing. High-grade cancers are more likely to come back after they have first been treated.

What causes breast cancer?

A cancerous tumour starts from one abnormal cell. The exact reason why a cell becomes cancerous is unclear. It is thought that something damages or alters certain genes in the cell. This makes the cell abnormal and multiply ‘out of control’.

Although breast cancer can develop for no apparent reason, there are some risk factors that can increase the chance, such as genetics.

What are the symptoms of breast cancer?

The usual first symptom is a painless lump in the breast, although most are not cancerous and are fluid filled cysts, which are benign. 

The first place that breast cancer usually spreads to is the lymph nodes in the armpit. If this occurs you will develop a swelling or lump in an armpit.

How is breast cancer diagnosed?

• Initial assessment: A doctor examines the breasts and armpits. They may do tests such as a mammography, a special x-ray of the breast tissue which can indicate the possibility of tumours.
• Biopsy: A biopsy is when a small sample of tissue is removed from a part of the body. The sample is then examined under a microscope to look for abnormal cells. The sample can confirm or rule out cancer.

If you are confirmed to have breast cancer, further tests may be needed to assess if it has spread. For example, blood tests, an ultrasound scan of the liver or a chest X-ray.

How is breast cancer treated?

Treatment options which may be considered include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormone treatment. Often a combination of two or more of these treatments are used.

• Surgery: Breast-conserving surgery or the removal of the affected breast depending on the size of the tumour.
• Radiotherapy: A treatment which uses high energy beams of radiation focused on cancerous tissue. This kills cancer cells, or stops them from multiplying. It is mainly used in addition to surgery.
• Chemotherapy: A treatment of cancer by using anti-cancer drugs which kill cancer cells, or stop them from multiplying.
• Hormone treatments: Some types of breast cancer are affected by the ‘female’ hormone oestrogen, which can stimulate the cancer cells to divide and multiply. Treatments which reduce the level of these hormones, or prevent them from working, are commonly used in people with breast cancer.

How successful is treatment?

The outlook is best in those who are diagnosed when the cancer is still small, and has not spread. Surgical removal of a tumour in an early stage may then give a good chance of cure.

The routine mammography offered to women between the ages of 50 and 70 means more breast cancers are being diagnosed and treated at an early stage.

For more information visit breastcancernow.org or call its free helpline on 0808 800 6000