Michelle Heaton talks about her double mastectomy as she highlights importance of accepting hang-ups
Michelle Heaton has admitted she will never feel like herself again, following her double mastectomy in 2012, followed by a hysterectomy in 2014.
The mother-of-two, 38, made the brave decision after being diagnosed with the mutated BRCA2 gene, which increases the risk of cancer.
Despite her battles with self confidence, Michelle, who shares children Faith, six, and Aaron, four, with husband Hugh Hanley, is learning to embrace her body hang-ups.
She also opened up about teaching her little girl to focus on the positives, in an honest interview with Fit & Well magazine.
‘I just remember that everybody is different,' she said. 'We all have different bodies, different situations and even different experiences of the menopause. You have to find your positives and make them the best they can be.'
She added: 'I want to educate my daughter Faith to focus on what she loves about herself rather than dwelling on other things – we’ve all got our hang-ups.'
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Michelle Heaton, 38, has admitted that despite the fact that she will 'never feel the same again' after having a mastectomy and a hysterectomy, she is learning to embrace her body hang-ups
Speaking about her journey to self acceptance, Michelle said getting fit again was a major part of her recovery.
‘What I went through could have potentially killed me,’ she said.
‘But not going through with it could have too. Fitness was a big help during that time, just by having something to aim for while in recovery.’
And after the surgery resulted in early menopause, she has thrown herself into her exercise regime to stay fit and healthy for her children.
Explaining that her scars mean she will 'never feel like me again', she admitted that her focus is on staying strong and confident for her children
Michelle, who shares children Faith, six, and Aaron, four, with husband Hugh Hanley, also opened up about teaching her little girl to focus on the positives (seen with Faith)
Michelle made the admission in an interview with Fit & Well
Michelle married her second husband Hugh Hanley - a personal trainer - in 2010.
The couple welcomed their daughter Faith in 2012 and son Aaron two years later.
Michelle underwent a double mastectomy reconstruction in 2012, after discovering the gene gave her an 80 per cent chance of developing breast cancer and a 30 per cent chance of developing ovarian cancer.
It was after the birth of their son that Michelle underwent a total hysterectomy in 2014.
Although it was heartbreaking to go through the operation, Michelle admitted at the time that it was an easy decision to make because she wanted to see her children grow up.
Read the full interview in the new issue of Fit & Well out now.