Kim Medcalf as Sam Mitchell in EastEnders, 2025 press shot / BBC
Sam Mitchell will battle breast cancer as part of an upcoming storyline on EastEnders, it has been revealed.
The character – played by Kim Medcalf – was last seen leaving the Square in January 2024 but will make a Walford comeback early next month having discovered a lump in her breast.
Sam initially fails to disclose her discovery to those close to her but her erratic behaviour soon raises alarm bells and she decides to get it checked out after pressure from Jack (Scott Maslen), Denise (Diane Parish) and finally brother Phil (Steve McFadden).
The storyline, developed with Breast Cancer Now, will follow Sam on her journey through diagnosis, talking to experts and receiving treatment.
The soap’s exec producer Ben Wadey said: “It was imperative that we worked with Breast Cancer Now to ensure that Sam’s important breast cancer storyline was portrayed sensitively and accurately.
“Sam is initially hesitant to seek medical advice after she finds a lump in her breast but with the support of family and friends, Sam gets help quickly, and because her cancer is caught early, she’s able to successfully remove her breast lump via a lumpectomy in the New Year.”
EastEnders continues Mondays to Thursdays from 6am on iPlayer and at 7.30pm on BBC One.
