Brave Michaela proves why checking your breasts is so important

Brave TV presenter Michaela Strachan, 48, has shocked fans by revealing she's undergone a double mastectomy after being diagnosed with breast cancer.

The Springwatch host was forced to have both of her breasts removed after she was diagnosed with cancer, following a routine mammogram at the beginning of the year. Speaking to You magazine about her ordeal, the star revealed the moment she was told of her diagnosis. 

Michaela tweeted this message to her followers on 5 October

'The tears started to roll as my doctor tried to tell me what would happen next, but I only took in every fifth word or so,' she said. 'The one word that registered was "cancer".'

She was advised by surgeons to go ahead with a double mastectomy as there was a risk of the lobular cancer spreading from one breast to another, and her breasts were too small for a lumpectomy as 'cutting out the cancer would leave them looking deformed'.

Michaela took part in reality diving show Splash! shortly before her diagnosis

Understandably, the shock of getting her head around her diagnosis was a lot to deal with: 'I couldn't get my head around the fact that on Monday morning I'd been apparently healthy, by Tuesday I had cancer and by Wednesday I was talking about a double mastectomy,' she said.

The presenter, who has a nine-year-old son Ollie and three stepchildren with her partner Nick, also revealed her plans for reconstructive surgery: 'I'm not looking forward to this as I'm feeling really strong again and I know it will set me back. I am, however, looking forward to a nice new pair of perky breasts (these temporary ones have gone a bit wonky)'.

But since speaking to You magazine six weeks ago, Michaela has undergone her reconstruction surgery, tweeting:

Michaela, who is now an ambassador for the Breakthrough Breast Cancer charity, stressed that her experience showed the importance of regular checkups: 'If I'd put mine off, my story could have been a very different one,' she said.