Jackie O reveals ‘terrifying’ health scare on-air

Radio star Jackie O has opened up about a “terrifying” recent health scare during a candid interview on Studio 10 today.

Radio star Jackie O has opened up about a “terrifying” recent health scare during a candid interview on Studio 10 today.

The KIIS radio host was interviewed alongside her manager and best friend Gemma O’Neill, about the pair’s new business venture, Besties.

They explained to host Angela Bishop that the scary incident happened as they were preparing for a recent photo shoot to promote the new business.

O’Neill explained that Jackie O had gone to the bathroom to get ready, then called out for her friend “in a way that I knew something was wrong.”

Jackie O had discovered a small lump on her breast while applying fake tan, and summoned O’Neill to check.

Jackie O (left) and Gemma O’Neill on Studio 10.

“She was standing there, naked – I’m standing there, feeling her breasts – and I said, Yeah, that there is something small in there, actually. Now I’m making you cry,” she said, as Jackie O became emotional.

“We went from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows in the space of five minutes. Now fortunately, we very quickly got you in for a mammogram and we went together the next day. And she was fine. And everything was fine.”

O’Neill clarified that Jackie O had known she would bring the story up on-air: “The only reason we thought it was worth sharing is because it might encourage other women to check themselves as well.”

Jackie O said she knew that sometimes people avoided things like breast self-exams because they were scared of getting bad news, but she encouraged those watching at home to stay on top of their health.

“Putting it off is not the answer.”

“It’s terrifying, it really is.”

“A lot of people, they just think the worst, and they’re too afraid to see what the result is. And it’s terrifying, it really is. Those few days [waiting for results] were just like, what if, what if?” she said.

“But putting it off and off, it really is not the answer. It’s so important to get those checks done.”

Jackie and her manager also addressed the recent speculation about she and co-host Kyle Sandilands’ future at KIIS, including a claim from radio rival Brendan Fevola that their Sydney-based show is set to air in Melbourne too from next year.

“Oh, I don’t know that that would necessarily be that the case for me,” Jackie O said, asked if a move into the Melbourne market would be a “clincher” in her staying with KIIS for years to come.

“There’s a lot more to it than then adding on an extra city. I think that would be a privilege to do, but it certainly wouldn’t be the only reason. No, there’s a lot to weigh up.”