Cancer Turmoil for Walford’s Tanya

EastEnders have revealed that Tanya Jessop will receive devastating news in the coming months when she is diagnosed with cervical cancer after a routine smear test.

Tanya, played by Jo Joyner, is currently involved in her latest love triangle with on/off ex-husband Max Branning. Bosses tease that Tanya will have finally made her choice between her ex and oblivious husband Greg when she receives the terrible news.

Bryan Kirkwood, EastEnders’ Executive Producer said of the storyline, ‘Viewers will see how Tanya, a mother of three, will use her inner determination to deal with what will be one of the toughest challenges of her life.

‘EastEnders has worked closely with experts in the field to ensure we accurately portray this sensitive issue.’

Robert Music, director of Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust – one of the charities consulted by EastEnders –praised the show for highlighting the issue, adding: ‘EastEnders have gone to great lengths to research this story with us and we hope that by showing this storyline to its millions of viewers, it will not only raise awareness of cervical cancer but also help the public to be more informed about this issue.’

The soap also consulted Macmillan Cancer Support for guidance on the storyline. Ellen Lang, a senior Macmillan cancer information nurse, congratulated EastEnders for featuring the storyline, and said, ‘822 people, like Tanya, are diagnosed with cancer every day. It’s vitally important that the cancer patient, and their family, get the support they need.

‘We hope that anyone watching who is affected by this issue knows that they can get the support they need from Macmillan Cancer Support.’

Tanya will receive her diagnosis later this summer, and the storyline is expected to play out into the autumn.