Emmerdale has enlisted the help of a charity to tackle a breast cancer storyline featuring Lucy Pargeter.
The story will follow her character Chas Dingle as she discover a lump in her breast.
The ITV1 soap is working closely with Breast Cancer Now, a research and support charity which was formed in 2015 when Breast Cancer Campaign and Breakthrough Breast Cancer merged together.
Speaking about the storyline, Pargeter, 46, said: “When the producers first discussed this storyline with me, I knew I didn’t want us to shy away from any aspect of this diagnosis for Chas.
“She saw her own mother ultimately die after an incurable breast cancer diagnosis, so for Chas to receive a breast cancer diagnosis herself, makes it all the more poignant.
“Our audience knows her so well, they have seen her relationships, know her faults, her passions, her insecurities, quirks and fears.
“So for them to see this story play out will be more meaningful given everything that has happened to both her and her mother.
“I think this is the beauty of our genre ‘Soap’.
“However, I am more than aware of the huge responsibility with us telling this story. I hope we can do it justice.
“It won’t be all doom and gloom, there will be ups and downs just like with anything. But I hope it looks and feels real.
“And if just a few people get help for breast changes that do not feel or look right, it could do some good too.”
Pargeter has played the role of mum Chas since 2002, and in 2022 her character learned that her mother’s breast cancer had returned.
Producer Kate Brooks said: “When this story was first pitched, we were acutely aware how important it was to explore this.
“With Chas’s family history of breast cancer and Chas being such a strong character, and in many ways the bedrock of the Dingles, we wanted to show the impact on not just her, but her immediate family.
“With Lucy Pargeter’s innate ability to showcase Chas’s vulnerabilities beneath her hardened exterior, we knew she was absolutely the right character to play this with.”
Cassie Kingswell, clinical nurse specialist at Breast Cancer Now, added: “With one in seven women in the UK developing breast cancer in their lifetime, Chas’s experience will resonate with thousands of Emmerdale viewers.
“Supporting people diagnosed with breast cancer and their loved ones, via our services, we’re able to draw on this insight along with our knowledge and extensive experience to provide informed, expert guidance for this storyline.
“We know that the sooner breast cancer is diagnosed, the better the chances of treatment being successful, and ultimately lives being saved.
“As such, Emmerdale is delivering an important health message by raising awareness of the importance of breast checking, of knowing breast cancer signs and symptoms, and getting any new or unusual changes checked by a GP.
“We’re here for anyone affected by breast cancer, or with questions about breast health.
“If you’ve been affected by Chas’s storyline or are looking for information and support, call our team of expert nurses on Breast Cancer Now’s free confidential Helpline on 0808 800 6000, or email our confidential ask our nurse service.”
In the show, Chas will enjoy a fling with the village doctor Liam Cavanagh, played by Jonny McPherson, before he tells her he has found a lump in her breast.
Although Dr Liam does his best to reassure her that it could be a benign cyst, he insists she follows this up by making an appointment to see her GP.
Following a trip to the breast clinic for diagnostic tests, the news is given that Chas has triple negative breast cancer.
The long-running soap has aired a number of cancer storylines in the past and worked alongside Bowel Cancer UK when Michelle Hardwick’s character Vanessa was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2020.
Emmerdale airs weekday nights at 7.30pm on ITV1 and on ITVX.