Actress Alex Kingston has shared the harrowing details of her cancer diagnosis, which came after she suffered a dramatic haemorrhage while performing on stage.
A Shocking Discovery
The 62-year-old star, famous for her roles in ER and Doctor Who, revealed her health battle during the live Blackpool special of Strictly Come Dancing. She explained that following the on-stage medical emergency, tests confirmed she had womb cancer.
Kingston underwent a full hysterectomy, but during the procedure, doctors made a devastating discovery. The cancer had spread beyond her uterus, requiring immediate radiotherapy treatment.
The Road to Recovery
Her husband, television producer Jonathan Stamp, expressed his immense pride during the BBC show. In a video message played before her performance, he stated: "I'm insanely proud of her and it's extraordinary for me to think that only a year ago Alex was really not well."
Alex elaborated on her experience: "I was diagnosed with a uterine cancer. I had to go in and have a full hysterectomy then they found out the cancer had moved and I had to have radiotherapy. So coming off the back of that and getting the all clear I decided I would do Strictly."
Recognising the Symptoms
The actress only publicly disclosed her diagnosis earlier this year, admitting she had initially mistaken her symptoms for signs of ageing. She told the Independent: "I had assumed that the way I was feeling was old age, and I just sort of accepted it. I thought, 'OK, this is what it's like to be in my sixties.' But a lot of how I was feeling was to do with my illness."
Kingston never suspected cancer, maintaining her positive outlook despite her body signalling something was seriously wrong. She recalled thinking her symptoms were related to a bad UTI or fibroids.
Following her hysterectomy and radiation therapy, which dominated much of 2024, medical tests confirmed the cancer had reached her fallopian tubes but fortunately hadn't spread to her ovaries.
Reflecting on her recovery, Kingston noted: "The minute I had the operation, I suddenly felt like myself again." She now urges other women to take their health seriously and not ignore potential warning signs.
According to the NHS, the main symptoms of womb cancer include:
- Bleeding or spotting from the vagina after the menopause
- Heavy periods that are unusual for you
- Vaginal bleeding between your periods
- A change to your vaginal discharge
Other symptoms can include pain in your lower back or pelvis, a lump or swelling in your tummy, pain during sex, or changes in bathroom habits.
