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Strictly Come Dancing star Alex Kingston has spoken publicly for the first time about being diagnosed with uterine cancer. The actress, who pairs up with professional dancer Johannes Radebe on the BBC show, revealed she had to undergo a hysterectomy and radiation therapy after being diagnosed last year.
Womb cancer, also known as uterine cancer, is the fourth most common cancer in women in the UK, after breast, lung and bowel cancer. This is more likely to occur after menopause.
In an interview with The Independent, the 62-year-old woman said that she completed her treatment in late 2024 and is now doing well. Kingston admitted that he attributed his symptoms to aging.
“I assumed that the way I was feeling was aging and I just kind of accepted it,” she said. “I thought, ‘Well, this is what happens in my sixties’. But a lot of what I was feeling had to do with my illness.”
What led to his diagnosis?
Kingston said she had been experiencing swelling and pain for years but ignored it. She didn’t seek medical help until she noticed blood in her urine during a performance last summer and later noticed bleeding on stage.
The diagnosis surprised him.
“Even though my body was telling me there was something seriously wrong, I kept thinking, ‘Oh, I’ve got a bad UTI or fibroids,'” she said, adding that she “hadn’t gone down the cancer path” in her mind.
How serious was the cancer?
Doctors found cancer in her fallopian tubes, but Kingston said she was “lucky” that it did not spread to her ovaries. After his surgery, he said he “suddenly felt like myself again” and realized he hadn’t felt like this “for years”.
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Despite the shock, Kingston, best known for her roles in ER and Doctor Who, decided to join Strictly Come Dancing with the mindset that “life is too short.”
What message does he have for others?
Kingston, who is married to TV producer Jonathan Stamp and has a daughter from a previous relationship, urged others to trust their instincts when it comes to their health.
“What I would say is that the body knows — and the body was telling me, ‘Help! There’s something really wrong.’ It is very important to seek advice and get tested.”
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8 possible symptoms of cancer that can be mistaken for aging
Feeling bloated?
Bloating – a feeling of fullness or tightness in the stomach – can be caused by hormones, constipation or digestive problems. But if this happens most days, Cancer Research UK recommends seeing a doctor to rule out a serious disease like ovarian cancer.
Feeling pain all over your body?
Normal aches and pains can come with age, but persistent or unexplained pain should not be ignored. Cancer Research recommends talking to a doctor, especially if the pain worsens or changes.
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Always tired?
It is normal to feel tired occasionally, but persistent fatigue for no apparent reason should be investigated. Cancer Research UK recommends seeing a GP to rule out any underlying causes.
Need to urinate more often?
Frequent urination may be associated with aging or hormonal changes, but it may also indicate bladder, ovarian, or prostate cancer. If you notice blood in your urine or a burning sensation, seek medical advice.
Erection problems?
About half of men over the age of 60 experience erectile dysfunction, which is often caused by aging. But in some cases, it may indicate prostate cancer, so it is best to get checked.
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Noticing skin changes?
Wrinkles and dry skin are normal with age, but new or changing moles, spots or patches that bleed or itch may be signs of skin cancer. Get them checked by a doctor.
Are you sweating at night?
While menopause may cause night sweats, heavy, drenching sweat or unexplained fever may be a warning sign. If this happens repeatedly, Cancer Research UK recommends consulting a GP.
Changes in your periods?
Irregular menstruation is common before menopause, but unexplained bleeding after menopause, even if small, should be investigated. The NHS warns it could be linked to uterine or ovarian cancer.
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