Girls Aloud members have honored the fifth anniversary of their bandmate Sarah Harding's death. Harding died in 2021 at the age of 39, one year after revealing her cancer diagnosis.
Nicola Roberts, 40, posted a photograph of the band from 2005 on Instagram, stating she was thinking of Harding's mother. "It’s hard to believe it’s been five years already since Sarah’s passing," Roberts wrote. "So much has happened that she should have been a part of. My love is particularly with Marie today."
Roberts described feeling "very sad and transported to this day 5 years ago," attributing some of it to "hormones and sleep deprivation," but acknowledging the significance of the milestone. She also expressed pride in Harding's legacy with her charity work, noting that those who pledged to support it are still active. "She’s saving lives. Wish to everything she didn’t have to lose her own xx," Roberts added.
Other tributes included comments from Katie Piper, who wrote "Beautiful words. Thinking of you all," and Keisha Buchanan of the Sugababes, who said, "Sarah always missed."
Kimberley Walsh, 44, reposted the band's tribute on their Instagram page with the caption "Five years" and a heartbroken emoji.
Nadine Coyle previously discussed Harding's battle with cancer on a podcast episode, recalling a conversation where Harding indicated that her upcoming Christmas might be her last. Coyle remembered a specific evening where she and Harding, along with other friends, prepared food and decorated a Christmas tree. "I was like, 'But that can't be real.' No. Surely somebody's gotten it wrong," Coyle recounted, expressing disbelief at the gravity of Harding's diagnosis at the time.
In conjunction with Olivia's House podcast and the charity Breast Cancer Now, the episode aimed to encourage friends to check in on each other and to remind women to perform breast self-examinations. This initiative follows research indicating that 53% of women are more likely to check their breasts when prompted by a friend, with 38% admitting to neglecting their health.
Breast cancer is a prevalent cancer globally. In the UK, over 55,000 new cases are diagnosed annually, resulting in approximately 11,500 deaths. In the United States, it affects an estimated 266,000 individuals each year, with around 40,000 fatalities. The disease typically arises from cancerous cells developing in the breast's ducts or lobules. When cancer spreads to surrounding tissue, it is classified as 'invasive'. Early stages are often characterized by a painless lump, though most lumps are benign. Spread to lymph nodes in the armpit can cause swelling. Diagnosis involves clinical breast exams, mammograms, and biopsies. Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and hormone therapy, often used in combination. Early detection and treatment significantly improve outcomes.