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Linda Nolan supports Sarah Harding in cancer battle

Linda Nolan: ''If I can say anything to you, the support you'll get from the public will be amazing - it was overwhelming for my sister Anne and me."
Linda Nolan: ''If I can say anything to you, the support you'll get from the public will be amazing - it was overwhelming for my sister Anne and me."

Linda Nolan, who is living with incurable liver cancer, has written an open letter to former Girls Aloud star Sarah Harding supporting her in her own breast cancer battle.

The 61-year-old Nolans singer and actress addressed 38-year-old Harding's devastating diagnosis in an emotional letter after being diagnosed with incurable cancer in her liver, her third recurrence following breast cancer in 2006, cellulitis and lymphoedema in her arm in 2007 and secondary cancer on her pelvis in 2017.

Writing in the latest issue of New! magazine, Nolan said: ''Sarah, I was so shocked and devastated to hear about your breast cancer diagnosis.

''If I can say anything to you, the support you'll get from the public will be amazing - it was overwhelming for my sister Anne and me."

''People are genuinely lovely and want to wish you the best. Initially, I didn't want people to pity me, but it was weight off my shoulders when it came out and I hope you're feeling a sense of relief too.

''This is my third time of being diagnosed with cancer now and each time is just as scary.

''But once you get your head around it - and you've got a supportive family, which I know you have - before you know it you'll be at the end of your chemo treatments.''

Nolan, whose sister Anne was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in April, also gave Harding tips on how to deal with chemotherapy. 

"I started my chemo in June and thought 'I'm never going to get to September,' and now I've got two treatments left. And you get into a routine with it," she continued.

''Although you're feeling rubbish, remember it's treatment to make you better. As you've said, the doctors are amazing and give you so much support, but don't be frightened to ask questions.''

If you have been affected by issues raised in this story, please visit: rte.ie/helplines.

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