EastEnders’ actress Heather Peace has revealed a secret battle with breast cancer.
The 49-year-old, best known for her role as Eve Sopal-Unwin in the BBC soap, told Instagram followers she has completed chemotherapy and feels “very lucky” following months of treatment.
Sharing the clip alongside a lengthy caption on Sunday, she wrote: ‘This video is an important part of my recent journey, which I wanted to share with you.
‘I’ve been on quite a road for many months now. I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the beginning of October.
‘Since then I’ve undergone surgery and recovery over the Christmas period and today my chemotherapy journey ended. To conclude – I’ve just picked up my medal.’
Heather was diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2023, and has continued working on EastEnders throughout parts of her treatment.
EastEnders star Heather Peace has revealed she’s been secretly battling breast cancer
The 49-year-old actress is best known for her role as Eve Sopal-Unwin in the BBC soap
In her video, which featured the actress being fitted with a wig, she thanked the production team and highlighted the support of those around her, while revealing she has needed a wig fitted during her health fight.
‘There have been so many positives,’ she said. ‘Thank you to the whole EE team for going above and beyond. Particularly our amazing makeup team.
‘And to Alex Rouss for the original wig and (stylist) Linda for the spot on cut. I’ve felt totally supported by you all.’
Heather also expressed gratitude for her family, praising her wife Ellie and their three daughters – Annie, Jessie and Lola – for their love and encouragement.
She said: ‘There have been so many positives… Just trying to appreciate every moment of them.’
Heather went on to extend heartfelt thanks to medical staff who cared for her.
‘Thank you to the NHS. You are wonderful, skilled people. You treated me efficiently. You gave me dignity and showed me kindness. It’s so appreciated,’ she said.
Heather concluded her post by reflecting on how her health fight had changed her, adding: ‘Life feels very different now, but it’s wonderful.
In her video, which featured the actress being fitted with a wig, she thanked the production team and highlighted the support of those around her
The actress shared before and after highlights after getting a new bobbed wig fitted
‘I will continue to cherish and be grateful for all I am blessed with. I feel very lucky. With love, Heater.’
The Bradford born star also played Nikki Boston in Waterloo Road before joining EastEnders as Eve in 2021.
She raises three daughters with wife Ellie Dickinson, who were born via IVF treatment.
Discussing their experience of IVF in 2016, Heather revealed that for their first daughter she donated the eggs and Ellie carried her, and for their second pregnancy they did it the other way around.
In an interview with their fertility clinic Agora in Brighton the actress revealed the most stressful part of the process was waiting to find out if her eggs had implanted.
She explained: ‘Because I am a bit older, my egg reserves were lower so the most stressful time was the two-week wait waiting to find out whether the embryo had implanted.’
Heather was diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2023, and has continued working on EastEnders throughout parts of her treatment (pictured right, on the show with co-star Balvinder Sopal)
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 71 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
Pictured with Balvinder Singh in an EastEnders publicity shot. The actress joined the BBC show in 2021
Heather also opened up about how the process can be a ‘very long road that really tests your relationship.’
However the pair felt they were ready and described the clinic as having a very calm atmosphere so they were at ease throughout.
On the topic of sperm donors she explained they had used the European Sperm Bank in Denmark who are usually able to provide you with the same donor if you want another child meaning they would be able to have the same donor for their second pregnancy.
She concluded that having children had made her and her wife ‘the happiest we’ve ever been in our lives.’
The actress joined the soap as Stacey Slater’s former cellmate and wife after the two married behind bars.
Talking about joining the long running programme, she said: ‘I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining the cast of EastEnders and I love my character Eve.
‘She’s tough, but fair; super bright and cheeky.
‘I’m loving working with such a brilliant cast, in particular Lacey Turner.
‘We immediately got on and sparked off each other which makes going to work easy and fun.’
Heather She raises three daughters with wife Ellie Dickinson, all born via IVF treatment
The actress joined EastEnders as Stacey Slater’s former cellmate and wife after the two married behind bars
