Strictly's Shirley Ballas reveals she's worried about cancer risk after shocking family discovery

Shirley Ballas
(Image credit: Karwai Tang)

Shirley Ballas has discovered that she has a family history of cancer, and is now considering getting her breast implants removed.

Shirley says she’s ‘worried’ that her implants could hinder the detection of any diseases, after discovering her family history on BBC’s Who Do You Think You Are?

Speaking to the Sunday Times, the star said: “I've had breast augmentation. It makes me take a step back and think when you go for these mammograms, 'Can you see at the back? Is it clear what you can see?'

"It's making me sit back and think, 'Shall I remove them? Would it be a good safety precaution for me?'"

Whilst on the show, Shirley discovered that her grandfather had died of cancer. Before appearing on the show, she had thought he had died of a “broken heart” following his wife’s death.

Shirley Ballas has since visited a doctor to discuss the situation, and what the “best route” would be for her health.

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A medical watchdog warned that there could be a form of cancer linked to implants, and that it could be under-diagnosed too.

She has since admitted that she’s become “more paranoid” about cancer too, and is planning to host a coffee morning to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Last July, Shirley Ballas had a breast cancer scare and shared an honest post via Instagram about the symptoms of the disease.

A photo posted by on

She wrote: “@nhs_inc I do not have enough words to express my gratitude to the NHS. I had a routine check at the doctors and she was not happy with what she felt and saw in my breast. Immediately sent me to Clatterbridge hospital for a mammogram and ultra sound.

“I urge all women particularly over 50 to get checked. We go about our daily lives always busy and sometimes ignoring our body. If something changes externally or you have any discomfort at all it's your body telling you 'take care of me'.

"DONT PUT IT OFF. Early detection is key to getting better. I have Cancer in my family line so I will be being vigilant.

“To all the beautiful women out there young and old get checked regularly. We have one beautiful body we need to keep it well taken care of. Thank you again to the NHS for being so marvelous.”

Lucy Buglass is a Digital Writer specialising in TV, film and lifestyle content and has written for What's On TV, GoodtoKnow and Whattowatch.com. She's passionate about entertainment and spends most of her free time watching Netflix series, BBC dramas, or going to the cinema to catch the latest film releases. In her spare time, she writes film and television reviews for JumpCut Online and her own blog, Lucy Goes To Hollywood.