The C-Word effect: Stars take to Twitter to urge women to check their breasts after Sheridan Smith's touching portrayal of Lisa Lynch's battle with cancer in BBC drama

• Lisa Lynch passed away in 2013 after a five-year battle with breast cancer 
• The journalist charted her illness on her blog, Alright Tit, which became a huge hit and saw her go on to publish a book The C-Word 
• Before her death, Lynch asked Sheridan Smith to play her in BBC drama 
• After the show aired, viewers took to Twitter to urge women to self-examine

By Jo Tweedy For Mailonline

Published: 06:23 EST, 4 May 2015 | Updated: 16:58 EST, 4 May 2015

Millions watched the heartbreaking story of her battle with breast cancer. But it seems Lisa Lynch’s legacy will not end there.

Viewers – including a host of celebrities – flooded social networking websites with messages pledging to check their breasts for lumps and urging others to do the same after watching The C-Word.

The one-off BBC drama, starring actress Sheridan Smith, told the story of Mrs Lynch’s final years, from her cancer diagnosis at the age of 28 – just 18 months into her marriage – to her death in 2013 at 33.

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Actors Sheridan Smith and Paul Nicholls played the late Lisa Lynch and her husband Pete in The C-Word, a BBC drama which documented Lynch's battle with breast cancer

Moving: Lisa Lynch fought breast cancer with bravery and wit and coped by writing a blog, Alright Tit, and later a book, The C-Word, which chartered her treatment

During her illness, magazine editor Mrs Lynch chronicled her battle in a candid blog, which later became a book. 

The adaptation of The C-Word aired on Sunday night, peaking at 4.2million viewers and receiving a stream of praise online. Miss Smith, 33, admitted she had been ‘overwhelmed’ by the outpouring of support for the show.

And perhaps most significantly, young women took to Twitter in their droves to reveal the programme had taught them about the importance of early detection.

One viewer, Natalie Randall, wrote: ‘1st thing I did after watching The C-Word: wiped my eyes. 2nd thing: checked my boobs.’ Another, Karyn Thompson, said: ‘Spotlight on breast cancer … Check your boobs!’

Television presenter Fearne Cotton, who has followed Lynch's story, thanked the late writer for continuing 'to help so many' after watching the show last night

Reactive: Dawn O'Porter tweeted the handle of breast cancer awareness charity CoppaFeel, which aims to get young women to self-examine 

Harrowing scenes but the family of Lisa Lynch say the television film is her legacy. Her brother Jamie McFarlane said: 'We've always said as a family if it gets one more person checking a lump or talking to someone that it has worked and done it's job.'

Footballer Rio Ferdinand announced at the weekend that his wife, Rebecca Ellison, the mother of his three children, had 'slipped away' at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London following a battle with breast cancer

And Jenny Stewart tweeted: ‘If you do nothing else after watching Lisa Lynch’s The C-Word, please check your boobs and learn the signs.’

Critics and celebrities praised the adaptation and described Miss Sheridan’s portrayal of Mrs Lynch as outstanding. 

Radio 1 presenter Fearne Cotton, 33, said the show was an ‘important watch’ and credited Mrs Lynch with continuing to ‘help so many’. Writer and broadcaster Dawn O’Porter, 36, urged viewers to get more information from CoppaFeel!, a breast cancer charity that educates young women about how to spot the warning signs.

Presenter Gaby Roslin, 50, said the drama was ‘totally incredible’. And actor Ralf Little, 35, praised Miss Smith’s sensitive performance. 

Mrs Lynch was involved in the casting and development of the adaptation. She approached Miss Smith directly to ask her to take on the role, but died in March 2013, before filming was finished. Miss Smith said: ‘I only hope I’ve done her justice.’

Yesterday, Mrs Lynch’s brother Jamie McFarlane told the BBC: ‘If [the drama] gets one more person to check for a lump or talking to someone then it has done its job. We are so proud of her.’

Since the show aired, Mrs Lynch’s book has shot to number one on the Amazon bestseller list.

Dr Emma Pennery of Breast Cancer Care welcomed the reaction to the show, saying: ‘Getting the message out there about reporting signs and symptoms of breast cancer early is crucial.’

Practical advice: those watching The C-Word took to Twitter to remind women that they should regularly self-examine including @ickleMissSunny

Another user @thompson_karyn mentioned the death of footballer Rio Ferdinand's wife Rebecca who lost her battle with breast cancer over the weekend aged just 34

Realistic: Sheridan Smith and Paul Nicholls have both been praised by critics for their portrayals of Lisa and Pete with one saying that The C-Word role is the performance of Sheridan Smith's career so far

Sheridan Smith talks about playing cancer patient Lisa Lynch

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