Anne Nolan reveals she has anxiety following cancer battle: ‘I don’t want to die’

Anne was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in 2020

Irish singer Anne Nolan has admitted she is anxious about dying following her cancer diagnosis.

The 74-year-old star was first diagnosed with the disease in 2000. However, two decades later, she had been diagnosed again with stage three breast cancer. Sadly, the family has a history of cancer.

At 52, her sister Bernie lost her battle to breast cancer in 2013, while 60-year-old Coleen Nolan, on the other hand, revealed she had skin cancer in 2023. Following a 20-year battle with the disease, Linda Nolan died on January 15 after suffering from double pneumonia. 

Days before Linda’s heartbreaking death, brother Brian received the news that he had level 2 prostate cancer. He became the fifth of the Nolan siblings to battle the disease.

Anne Nolan on Lorraine
Anne was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in 2020 (Credit: ITV)

Anne Nolan admits she is fearful of cancer returning

In her latest column for the Mirror, Anne explained that even though she has received the all-clear surrounding her cancer, it has still had a huge impact on her.

“When you have cancer, it’s one of those things that you kind of live with it for the rest of your life,” she said.

“You could kind of get a little bruise or a lump somewhere and you think, ”Oh my god, is that cancer?” It can always come back.”

Anne was diagnosed with breast cancer during the coronavirus pandemic. She was put on anti-anxiety medication, explaining it was a “horrendous” time.

Anne Nolan on Lorraine
Anne opened up about her anxiety (Credit: ITV)

‘I don’t want to die’

Due to social distancing measures that were put in place, Anne felt alone, explaining that only her sister-in-law and my brother-in-law, who both worked at the hospital, could visit her.

Following the unsettling experience, Anne has since been left with anxiety

“I still have anxiety but it’s not as bad. I have anxieties about dying. It is about the cancer coming back as well. I don’t want to die, I love being alive. I love being here,” she added.

On the more positive side of things, Anne said that her experiences had helped her “value life” more. She said that “whenever I’m asked to do something, I say yes straight away”.