Her last appearance as Sam was in 2016 when she returned for a few episodes following a six-year hiatus from the role, arriving back in Albert Square for Peggy's funeral.
She is being seen by a cancer palliative specialist over the next few days to discuss options and surgery to stop this from happening again.
She had surgery to repair her nose in 2000 and managed to kick the destructive habit when she was 28 after going to rehab in Arizona.