'I would have been dead within three months': Jade to have urgent hysterectomy for advanced cancer

The Big Brother star is to undergo a hysterectomy next week as doctors battle to save her life, she told the Sun.

The 27-year-old has a large tumour on her womb that doctors say may have spread to her blood stream, giving rise to fears that secondary tumours may develop on other organs.

Tearful: Jade Goody in the Indian Big Brother house, immediately after learning she had cancer

'I'm fighting for my life,' she told the Sun. 'I am going to fight the damn thing every step of the way because I have two beautiful boys who are my world. But I have to be realistic and face the possibility that I may not live to see them grow up.

'I can't face telling my boys because they are so young. They think mummy has a tummy ache.'

After her operation Jade, who has second stage cancer, will undergo radiotherapy and chemotherapy and will lose her hair.

Jade was told of her illness last week  while appearing in the Indian version of Big Brother. She had undergone tests for the disease before flying out but decided to go on the show as planned to receive a £100,000 appearance fee.

Jade and former partner Jack Tweedy leave her consultants after learning the seriousness of her condition

In an interview before she left she spoke of her desire to have a daughter, something which will now never happen.

'I broke down at the thought of never having more children. I have always longed for a baby girl,' said Jade, mother to Bobby, five, and Freddie, three.

She said: 'Since Big Brother my life has been fashioned by publicity. But no way would I want anyone to be in my shoes now.'

Goody's reputation was left in tatters after being accused of racially abusing Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty in the celebrity version of the reality show last year. The pair were reunited for the show in India.

'I'm not proud of the way I behaved. But Shilpa gave me a big hug and I went straight into the house.'

Jade's consultant Ann Coxon told the Sun: 'She has serious second stage cancer and needs surgery as soon as possible. This cancer is in an advanced stage and was diagnosed in the nick of time.

'If she'd stayed in India for the next three months she wouldn't be here.'

Four previous smear tests for cervical cancer revealed pre-cancerous cells in her womb - but each time Jade was given the all clear after they were removed.

Her cancer was only diagnosed when she collapsed at home and she was rushed to princess Alexandra Hospital in Essex.

Mother: Jade with her sons Freddie and Bobby in happier times