One of Baywatch’s best-known stars has revealed a devastating health diagnosis.
Nicole Eggert, who played Summer Quinn on the hit TV show, has revealed that she has breast cancer.
The 51-year-old — who famously appeared alongside Pamela Anderson in the 1990s series — revealed on Monday that she has stage 2 cribriform carcinoma, diagnosed in December.
Stream the world’s best reality, entertainment and true crime shows for free on 7Bravo on 7plus >>
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Baywatch star reveals breast cancer diagnosis.
The actress gained 11kg in three months and suffered “terrible” pain in her left breast, but initially attributed the symptoms to menopause, People reported.
But during a breast self-examination she found a lump, and immediately went to see a doctor.
“It was really throbbing and hurting,” she said.
“I immediately went to my general practitioner, and she told me I had to immediately go get it looked at.
“But the problem was I just couldn’t get an appointment. Everything was booked.
“So I had to wait until the end of November to get it done.”
One mammogram and three biopsies later, Eggert got the bad news.
“This journey’s been rough for me,” she said.
“This hasn’t been a breezy sail through life.
“I always read inspirational quotes and corny stuff, but it gets me through.”
Eggert will need surgery to remove the cancer and will then potentially require a course of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
“I can definitely feel it,” she said of the cancerous lump.
“It’s there. It needs to be taken out.
“So it’s just a matter of do I have to do treatment before the surgery or can they perform the surgery, and then I do the treatment after.”
The actress said she was having moments of “panic”.
“You sit there and it’s in you and you’re like, every second that passes and it’s inside of me,” she said.
“It’s growing, and you’re just like, you just want it out.”
A single mum, Eggert has two children — daughters Keegan, 12, and Dilyn, 25 — and said a look of “horror” passed over Keegan’s face when she broke the news.
“(Dilyn’s) an adult, but I have a 12-year-old at home where I’m the only caregiver. I have no family. I have nothing,” she said.
“It immediately made me realise, there’s just no succumbing to this.
“This is something I have to get through. This is something that I have to beat.
“She needs me more than anything and anybody.”
On social media, Eggert shared a link to a GoFundMe page launched by a friend to raise money for treatment.
“It’s been a long time since Charles in Charge and Baywatch,” organiser Mindy Molinary wrote, sharing a picture of Eggert with her daughters.
“As a single mum, she’s had to struggle financially to raise her two daughters.
“She still has a little one at home, and she is terrified of not being able to afford the treatments and surgery necessary while also keeping a roof over their heads.
“She’s lost both her parents and doesn’t have any family to lean on or help her with this situation.”
So far, the fundraiser has received $10,000 out of a $100,000 goal.
“(Nicole) has a long road ahead,” Molinary added in her fundraising statement.
“Multiple expensive imaging — CTs, MRIs, ultrasounds, etc.
“Multiple doctors to see — oncologists, surgeons, etc.
“Cancer treatments and medications. Her current insurance won’t even scratch the surface of what she needs.
“She is tenacious and has always found a way to get by, but this is different.
“She will be unable to work while undergoing surgery and treatments.
“She has a long, scary road ahead and has a terrible time asking for help.”
Eggert’s friends and fans said they were happy to help out when the link was posted to her Instagram.
”As a breast cancer survivor my heart goes out to you. I wish you quick healing and a positive outcome,” one follower wrote.
“So sorry to hear about your diagnosis, Nicole. Sending you tight hugs,” wrote another.
“You WILL fight this. 🤍”
“Very sorry to hear this. You have a big support system out here rooting for you,” added a third.
For more engaging celebrity content, visit 7Life on Facebook.
