'Girls Aloud singer Sarah Harding saved my life'

4 hours ago

Lauren HirstNorth West

Annette Illing, pictured with her husband Mark, took part in the breast cancer study

Annette Illing Annette Illing is standing next to her husband Mark on a beach on a cloud day. They are both wearing coats and knitted hats. — Annette Illing, pictured with her husband Mark, took part in the breast cancer study

When mother-of-three Annette Illing received a letter inviting her to take part in a trial funded by The Christie Charity Sarah Harding Breast Cancer Appeal, she did not hesitate to sign up.

"I started off thinking 'why not?' I'm going to take part," said the 39-year-old, from Withington in Manchester.

"I'm probably low risk so there's no harm. I have no family history so I wasn't really worried."

It was a life-changing decision. In June 2025, she was identified as being at increased risk and, after her first mammogram, was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer.

"It was scary to hear the word 'cancer,' but there was hope," she said.

"I'd rather know and have choices than not know."

Harding rose to fame as one fifth of the pop band Girls Aloud

PA Media Sarah Harding, who is wearing a grey blazer and a large hooped earrings, is posing on a red carpet and she is smiling. — Harding rose to fame as one fifth of the pop band Girls Aloud

The Breast Cancer Risk Assessment in Young Women (BCAN-RAY) study at The Christie cancer centre in Manchester was set up following Harding's death at the age of 39 in September 2021, 11 months after she was diagnosed.

The Girls Aloud singer's dying wish was to find new ways to spot the signs of the disease earlier and stop it cutting lives - like hers - short.

More than £1m was raised in her name with the money supporting the BCAN-RAY study, which was also funded by Cancer Research UK with support from the Shine Bright Foundation.

"I'd see her picture as I walked in for my appointments, on the way in and the way out, and I'm just beyond grateful," Annette explained.

"I have a future because of this lady and her group of friends that have just championed her legacy," said Annette, who has three daughters aged 13, 11 and eight.

It was an emotional moment when Annette met Harding's band mate and friend Kimberley Walsh at The Christie.

"Just knowing she has saved you means absolutely everything to me," said Walsh.

"I know it would to Sarah."

Emotions ran high when Hannah Harrison, Annette Illing and Kimberley Walsh met at The Christie

Hannah Harrison, Annette Illing and Kimberley Walsh are standing side by side and are smiling at the camera in this posed photograph. — Emotions ran high when Hannah Harrison, Annette Illing and Kimberley Walsh met at The Christie

Without the BCAN-RAY study, which began in May 2023, Annette would have waited another decade for her first routine mammogram.

"I don't know what the future would have held," she said.

"I try not to think about it too much, I think I take the real positives that it was found."

Annette underwent two surgeries followed by radiotherapy and is now on preventive hormone therapy for five years.

She will also have annual mammograms for peace of mind.

Walsh, pictured far right, says her band mate had one wish - to fund research into breast cancer

Kimberley Walsh is standing next to five scientists, who are all wearing white lab coats, in a laboratory. — Walsh, pictured far right, says her band mate had one wish - to fund research into breast cancer

"In some ways it's overwhelming," said Annette.

"What an incredible woman she was because in the midst of her journey with cancer she was so outward looking.

"She was thinking about other people, thinking about the future generations. I'm just beyond grateful.

"I am cancer free and that is an incredible thing and a wonderful thing to be able to say."

Hannah Harrison, who is the Sarah Harding Young Women's Breast Cancer fellow, said: "Sarah's legacy really is to reduce young women dying of breast cancer.

"Ladies are able to come in decades before regular NHS screening occurs.

"We test things like genetics from a saliva sample, we look at breast density using low-dose mammography, and we ask questions about lifestyle and family history.

"This screening has allowed us to identify women to be at high risk who have no family history, no knowledge of a risk."

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