Early signs of breast cancer as Supernatural star Carrie Anne Fleming died at 51 after diagnosis

Supernatural actress Carrie Anne Fleming has died aged 51 following a breast cancer diagnosis.

The late actress's Supernatural co-star Jim Beaver, who played Bobby Singer in the hit series, confirmed the news to Variety.

The outlet reports that Fleming, also known for her roles in Viper, Happy Gilmore, Masters of Horror, Smallville, Jenifer and iZombie, died late last month (26 February) in Sidney, British Columbia.

She passed away 'peacefully with her loved ones by her side', her representative said, via the Independent.

"It was a great privilege to have known Carrie," a statement continued. “She was a beautiful soul, inspiring, and above all, kind. She will be greatly missed."

Beaver has since taken to Facebook to share a heartfelt tribute for Fleming, who is survived by her only child, daughter Madalyn Rose.

Supernatural actress Carrie Anne Fleming died late last month following a breast cancer diagnosis (Andrew Chin/Getty Images)

Beaver, who has now revealed he fell in love with Fleming while making the show, wrote earlier this month (1 March): "To find a soul mate once in life is something of a miracle. To find one twice is almost unimaginable. To love and be loved is a pearl above price, but such pearls do come more than once or twice to the lucky.

"But to find oneself paired with someone who not only loves and is loved, but who seems by magic or the grace of the gods to understand you, to want what you are, to want you to be what you are, who GETS you and never feels the need to have you defend who you are, and about whom you feel the same -- how many of us can say that spark of divinity has alighted on us [...] I can."

Fleming portrayed Karen Singer, the wife of Bobby Singer, in Supernatural during seasons five and seven (The CW)

According to Variety, a memorial service will be announced at a later date.

Tyla has reached out to Carrie Anne Fleming's representatives for further comment.

Cancer Research UK reports that breast cancer is the most common cancer in females in the UK, with around 56,500 new cases every year, which is more than 150 every day.

Beaver took to social media to share a heartfelt tribute to his 'soul mate' (Facebook/Jim Beaver)

What are the symptoms of breast cancer?

As per the NHS, the main symptoms of breast cancer in women may include:

• a lump, or swelling in your breast, chest or armpit
• a change in the skin of your breast, such as dimpling (may look like orange peel) or redness (may be harder to see on black or brown skin)
• a change in the size or shape of one or both breasts
• nipple discharge (if you are not pregnant or breastfeeding), which may have blood in it
• a change in the shape or look of your nipple, such as it turning inwards (inverted nipple) or a rash on it (may look like eczema)
• pain in your breast or armpit, which does not go away – breast pain that comes and goes is usually not a symptom of breast cancer

If breast cancer spreads to other parts of the body, it's called secondary breast cancer.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in females in the UK (Getty Stock Images)

Symptoms of secondary breast cancer depend on which part of the body the cancer has spread to.

General symptoms include:

• feeling tired or having no energy
• loss of appetite or losing weight without trying to
• feeling unwell with no clear cause
• feeling or being sick
• difficulty sleeping

The NHS recommends regularly checking your breasts (Getty Stock Images)

When to see your doctor

The NHS outlines the importance of checking your breasts regularly, so you know what's normal for you.

Doing so makes it easier to notice any changes in the size, look or feel of your breasts.

You should see a GP if:

• you have a lump or swelling in your breast, chest or armpit
• you have any changes in your breasts or nipples that are not normal for you
• you have pain in your breast or armpit that does not go away

You can find out more about breast cancer on the official NHS website.

If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact Macmillan’s Cancer Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 8am–8pm seven days a week.