Adele Roberts has opened up about how having cancer has "ravaged" her body.
The BBC Radio 1 DJ also shared how the chemotherapy treatment has had some unexpected side effects on her body, telling fans that the chemo made her skin look "burned".
Adele was diagnosed with bowel cancer in October, and said that the medication she has received for it has had a huge impact on her skin, even causing her to have "holes" all over her face in her first round of chemotherapy, the Mirror reports.
She posted images of her skin on Instagram in a courageous gesture to share some of less well known realities of living with cancer.
Adele revealed that she has long struggled with anxiety about her skin, having acne, and was even given permission to wear make up in her appearance on I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here in 2019.
While filming the show she would sneak off early in the morning to apply the make up and make sure that her fellow contestants would not see her natural skin.
She wrote: “I’ve always been embarrassed about my skin. I’ve struggled with it for most of my life. I’ll never forget when it first started to breakout and a lady asking me if I’d been in an accident. I was mortified…I think I’ve carried that shame with me for too long.
“Everything I’m going through at the moment has taught me it’s good to share. I’m not the only one. I’m very lucky to be on this treatment but it’s ravaged my skin a lot.” She continued: “I’ve shared what it’s done to my hands and feet but I was too ashamed to show you my face.
“I’ve been thinking a lot recently and I’ve realised that it’s good to share as much as I can. What if someone else is suffering too and they think they’re alone. You’re not.”
She also thanked her partner Kate Holderness for her help during treatment.
“Kate’s helped me so much and has helped me cover my scars with makeup,” she explained, "We use a foundation by Kat Von D which has been formulated to cover up face tattoos.
"This is the first step to my liberation I guess. I hope you don’t mind me sharing but I hope it helps at least one person. The first round of my chemotherapy was a bit strong and ended up with me looking like I’d been burned. I had holes all over my face.
“One day I’ll show you but I think what I’m sharing today is a big enough step for me.” Adele has continuously documented her recovery on social media and is finishing her chemotherapy medication next Monday.
“I don’t want to be ashamed anymore. I’m alive and I’m lucky to be on this treatment. My skin is also healing and looking SO MUCH BETTER than the start. Plus I’m nearly there now! Monday can’t come soon enough xx”
She went on to talk about the lengths she went to to conceal her skin in her appearance on I’m A Celebrity. Adele said: “Ps. When I was in the jungle I used to get up really early to hide in the medicine hut so I could cover up my acne scars.
“This was totally in the rules by the way, I had permission to take makeup for my acne but I was too ashamed to let my camp mates see me with no makeup on. It even made showering and some of the tasks harder. I used to freak out if my face got wet.
“I feel stupid now but I just want you to know how silly I’ve been.”
Adele told her followers on Instagram stories that she will have a scan in six weeks, and hopes it will reveal that she is cancer-free.
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