‘Baywatch’ Star Nicole Eggert Blames Her Breast Implants For Preventing Her From Discovering Her Breast Cancer Sooner: “Getting Them Was A Huge Mistake”

After breaking the news of her stage 2 breast cancer diagnosis last month, Nicole Eggert has opened up about the doctors’ most recent discovery: cancer in her lymph nodes.

In a new interview with Inside Edition airing today, the Baywatch star opened up about the importance of “self-exams,” as she reflected on her recent struggles with her “rare” form of breast cancer called “invasive cribriform carcinoma.”

“I’m telling you, I kick myself. That’s the one thing I should have been doing,” she shared.

She also delved into how tissue from her breast implants, which she received when she was 19 while starring on the hit lifeguard drama, likely prevented her from finding the cancer earlier on.

“If I didn’t have them, and I had my smaller, natural breasts, I am sure I would have felt it much sooner,” she explained, ultimately noting that “getting them was a huge mistake.”

As for why she chose to get them, Eggert recalled “wearing this red bathing suit that was flattening” in her iconic role as Summer Quinn, noting that she “felt the pressure” with respect to her appearance.

“And I made the decision, not thinking through,” she added.

While speaking with People last month, she said that “the journey’s been rough,” tracing it back to when she first felt “terrible pain” in her left breast last fall. She also took note of how tough it was to even secure an appointment because “everything was booked.” She reiterated these sentiments in her Inside Edition interview, saying, “Nobody could take me, so I walked into every breast care center.”

“It’s horrifying because every day and every minute that passes, you know it’s growing.” 

The GoFundMe page launched by Mindy Molinary, one of Eggert’s friends, early last month to help her fund her medical expenses has since raised over $38,000. Eggert expressed her gratitude for “the outpouring of love” she received in her People interview, noting that she “really want[s] to figure out a way to give back to other parents that are in [her] situation that aren’t as fortunate.”

Eggert’s complete Inside Edition interview airs on Thursday, Feb. 1. Check out their website for your local listings.