Frankie Bridge Left ‘Knocked Sideways’ After Devastating Diagnosis of Tumor in Her Neck

Frankie Bridge, the 36-year-old singer from The Saturdays, has shared a deeply personal health scare that left her feeling “knocked sideways”, as reported by the Daily Mail. After experiencing persistent headaches, Frankie sought medical advice and underwent an MRI scan, which revealed a benign tumor in her neck. Reflecting on the discovery, she admitted she initially feared “the worst.”

In a candid birthday message, Frankie opened up about the experience. “This year, after finally going to a doctor about my daily headaches and having an MRI, they discovered a tumor in my neck,” she said. “The call knocked me sideways. They had no idea what it was at the time, and I obviously thought the worst”, reported the Mirror.

The Loose Women star explained that the tumor, a rare sub-ependymoma, had likely been growing throughout her life. Fortunately, it is benign and unrelated to her headaches. “It was growing on my spinal cord and down the length of my neck,” Frankie shared. “Doctors have decided not to remove it for now but will monitor for any changes.”

Frankie reflected on how the diagnosis highlighted the importance of paying attention to her health. “It made me realize that things can be happening within my body, and I’d have no idea. There are so many other things that could be doing exactly the same, and I could have avoided them. Turns out the headaches are due to stress.”

Acknowledging the toll of stress on her life, Frankie spoke about the broader implications for her health. “We know many cancers and illnesses can be exacerbated or brought on by stress, yet every time a doctor tells me to ‘manage my stress,’ I just laugh. I have depression, anxiety, two kids, a husband, a job, and so many other factors. Stress is just a part of my everyday life.”

Despite the challenges, Frankie vowed to take better care of herself. “I expect myself to be 100% at all times, in all things. Even though I’ve always known this is impossible, it hasn’t stopped me from trying—and punishing myself when I haven’t succeeded. And to be honest, I’ve had enough. It doesn’t work for me or anyone else in my life.”

Reflecting on her mother’s battle with cancer, Frankie admitted the scare made her fear for the worst. “I thought it was my time. I thought I was going to die,” she revealed on Loose Women. Thankfully, the outcome has brought her relief and a renewed commitment to her well-being.