English actress, known for playing Angie Appleton in Coronation Street Victoria Ekanoye has disclosed that she is down with breast cancer just months after welcoming her first child.

The British-Nigerian actress, 39, broke the heartbreaking news to OK! Magazine, revealing that she discovered a lump in her breast while feeding Theo, 11 months, who she shares with husband Jonny Lomas, before doctors investigated.

She said: ‘I was diagnosed on October 13 with DCIS, which is Ductal carcinoma in situ. It basically means that cells have turned cancerous within the milk ducts.’

Victoria told the publication: ‘Back in July I was feeding Theo and I noticed there was a small lump protruding at the top of my left breast.

‘My mum had breast cancer at 41, and her sister at 39 – so many people in my family, in fact. So I don’t really leave any time before I check these things…

‘I was diagnosed on the thirteenth of October with DCIS, which is Ductal carcinoma in situ. It basically means that cells have turned cancerous within the milk ducts…

‘We’re being really optimistic, and positive, and really lucky that we’ve caught it as early as we have. I don’t know if lucky is the right word, but that’s how I feel.’

Earlier this year, Victoria, who played Angie Appleton in the soap, revealed she feared her ‘miracle’ baby boy would die during her traumatic three-day labour due to complications involving her sickle cell anaemia.

Breastcancer.org defines DCIS as: ‘Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is non-invasive breast cancer. Ductal means that the cancer starts inside the milk ducts, carcinoma refers to any cancer that begins in the skin or other tissues (including breast tissue) that cover or line the internal organs, and in situ means “in its original place.”

‘DCIS is called “non-invasive” because it hasn’t spread beyond the milk duct into any normal surrounding breast tissue. DCIS isn’t life-threatening, but having DCIS can increase the risk of developing an invasive breast cancer later on.’