Derbyshire breast cancer charity founder Wendy Watson shares advice after death of Girls Aloud star Sarah Harding

Breast cancer campaigner Wendy Watson (left) has urged people to check themselves regulary and speak to their doctor with any concerns following the tragic death of Girls Aloud star Sarah Harding (right)

The singer, who found fame with Girls Aloud, announced last August that she had been diagnosed with advanced-stage breast cancer, saying the disease had spread to other parts of her body.

She ‘slipped away peacefully’ on Sunday aged 39, her mum Marie confirmed on Instagram.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK, accounting for 15 per cent of all new cases, and about one in eight women are diagnosed with it during their lifetime, according to NHS statistics.

Wendy Watson, of Wingerworth, was just 37 when she became Britain's first woman to have both breasts removed in a desperate bid to halt the disease which had devastated three generations of her family.

In 1996, she founded the National Hereditary Breast Cancer Helpline and to date the charity has helped thousands of women.

Wendy said: “With regards to Sarah, this is just so sad. It highlights that, althought breast cancer is mainly a disease of woman over 50 (80 per cent), it can be found in young women.

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"Checking yourself regulary and speaking to your doctor is advisable if you have a family history, particularly if they are diagnosed under the age of 40.

She added: “Sarah was very young to develop breast cancer. [It is] impossible to say if a faulty gene is behind her diagnosis, as I’m not aware of any family history. That said, a gene fault can be passed down through the male line without causing too many problems.

"If a family member does develop breast cancer at a young age, especially if triple negative, it is wise to look into family background on both sides.

"For further help, please contact the National Hereditary Breast Cancer Helpline on 01629 813 000.”

Before she died, Harding released her memoir – titled Hear Me Out – in which she spoke of being scared to go public with her diagnosis - but how she ultimately realised her story could help save lives.

"Please girls - please everyone - don't let anything get in your way - get checked out if you're worried about something," she wrote.

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