Reality TV star Jade Goody has been diagnosed with cervical cancer, her publicist has confirmed.

The 27-year-old had been appearing in an Indian version of Big Brother, called Bigg Boss.

Max Clifford told BBC Radio 1’s Newsbeat Goody was “extremely upset and frightened and will be back as soon as they can get her on a plane”. Show producers confirmed Goody had left the house for “medical reasons”. She is due to arrive back in the UK later. “Jade had some tests recently, then she went off to India to appear in the Indian Big Brother,” Mr Clifford said.

“Yesterday we got a call from her consultant to say she had cancer of the cervix and so she has to come back straight away.” He added: “We put the consultant in touch with the programme maker in India and because of the circumstances was allowed to speak to her and explain the results of her tests.” When asked if the result was a positive smear test or a confirmed diagnosis of cancer, Mr Clifford said: “No, it is cancer.” “The important thing is to get her back as soon as possible and get this treated. “Obviously there were some problems - that’s why she had tests. But she had no idea that would be the diagnosis - she was shocked.”

No further details regarding Goody’s diagnosis or treatment were given. Goody had undergone tests earlier this month after collapsing and losing blood at her Essex home. But she had decided to fly to Mumbai to appear in Bigg Boss to make amends after being accused of racism towards Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty on Celebrity Big Brother in the UK. In an interview conducted before she left for India, she spoke of her fears of becoming ill. The mother-of-two told Reveal magazine. [BBC NEWS]

Eating broccoli could reverse the damage caused by diabetes to heart blood vessels, research suggests.

A University of Warwick team believe the key is a compound found in the vegetable, called sulforaphane.

It encourages production of enzymes which protect the blood vessels, and a reduction in high levels of molecules which cause significant cell damage.

Brassica vegetables such as broccoli have previously been linked to a lower risk of heart attacks and strokes. Our study suggests that compounds such as sulforaphane from broccoli may help counter processes linked to the development of vascular disease in diabetes. People with diabetes are up to five times more likely to develop cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and strokes; both are linked to damaged blood vessels.

The Warwick team, whose work is reported in the journal Diabetes, tested the effects of sulforaphane on blood vessel cells damaged by high glucose levels (hyperglycaemia), which are associated with diabetes. They recorded a 73% reduction of molecules in the body called Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). Hyperglycaemia can cause levels of ROS to increase three-fold and such high levels can damage human cells. The researchers also found that sulforaphane activated a protein in the body called nrf2, which protects cells and tissues from damage by activating protective antioxidant and detoxifying enzymes.

Countering vascular disease

Lead researcher Professor Paul Thornalley said: “Our study suggests that compounds such as sulforaphane from broccoli may help counter processes linked to the development of vascular disease in diabetes. “In future, it will be important to test if eating a diet rich in brassica vegetables has health benefits for diabetic patients. We expect that it will.” Dr Iain Frame, director of research at the charity Diabetes UK, stressed that research carried out on cells in the lab was a long way from the real life situation. [BBC NEWS]

Christina Applegate is undergoing treatment for breast cancer, but the disease was caught early and the actress is expected to fully recover, her publicist said.

The Emmy winner’s cancer was detected through an MRI ordered by a doctor and is not life-threatening, publicist Ame Van Iden said in a statement Saturday.

Applegate is scheduled to appear on a one-hour television special, “Stand Up To Cancer,” to be aired on ABC, CBS and NBC on Sept. 5 to raise funds for cancer research.

The 36-year-old actress has been nominated for an Emmy and a Golden Globe for the show “Samantha Who?”, in which she plays a woman who wakes from a coma with no memory of who she is. The show, which debuted last October, marked a return to series television for Applegate, who helped establish the Fox network in 1987 as ditzy teenager Kelly Bundy on “Married … With Children.” The raunchy comedy ran 11 seasons and has been airing in syndication since. “I’m really grateful that acting is the job that was chosen for me,” Applegate told The Associated Press in April. “I get really lost when I’m not working. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do with myself. Thank God for dance class and the New York Times crossword puzzle and ‘American Idol.’ But acting is what I really have to do.”

Applegate won an Emmy as outstanding guest actress in a comedy series in 2003 for her role as one of Jennifer Aniston’s younger sisters in “Friends.” She was nominated for a Tony in 2005 for the Broadway musical “Sweet Charity.” Applegate began acting in films and television as a child and has appeared in such shows as “Quincy,” “Family Ties,” “21 Jump Street,” “Charles in Charge” and Steven Spielberg’s “Amazing Stories.”

Soon after “Married … With Children,” she starred in “Jesse,” playing a single mother raising a young son. The show lasted two seasons. Her films include “Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead,” “Wild Bill, “Wonderland” and “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgandy.” [Yahoo News]