Deborah James has issued a sad update as the BBC star moves into hospice care for bowel cancer and experts have shared advice on its symptoms.
The popular podcaster, who hosts You, Me and The Big C, delivered the heartbreaking news to fans on social media last night.
Deborah, who is just 40, has fought bowel cancer for almost five years and shared that she "just can't continue anymore", the Mirror reported.
She announced: "The message I never wanted to write. We have tried everything, but my body simply isn't playing ball.
"My active care has stopped and I am now moved to hospice at home care, with my incredible family all around me and the focus is on making sure I’m not in pain and spending time with them."
With 43,000 people diagnosed in the country every year and after Deborah's heart-wrenching update, here are some of the signs and symptoms to look out for.
What are the signs of bowel cancer?
Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK, after cancers of the breast, lung and prostate.
Signs of bowel cancer are not always obvious and don't just include blood in the poo.
The NHS said that more than 90% of people with bowel cancer have at least one of the common symptoms like the following:
- Abdominal pain - bloating, reduction in food eaten or weight loss.
- Blood in the poo - watch for this appearing without other symptoms such as haemorrhoids.
- Change in bowel habit - more frequent trips to the toilet with looser and runnier poos. People should watch out for pain in the abdomen.
Bowel Cancer UK also said that people should watch out for feeling tired for no reason and a pain or lump in the tummy area.
It advised: "Most people with these symptoms don’t have bowel cancer. Other health problems can cause similar symptoms. But if you have one or more of these, or if things just don’t feel right, go to see your GP."
Who is Deborah James?
Deborah James is a popular podcaster and cancer campaigner who has publicly lived out her battle with bowel cancer.
The presenter of the BBC podcast You, Me And The Big C was diagnosed with the condition in 2016 and has shared the grim details of the disease.
In her farewell note to followers, she asked people to donate to the fund set up in her honour - which has already reached over £1 million.
"As a result, the @bowelbabefund is being established and I'd love nothing more than for you to help it flourish. Please visit bowelbabe.org for all the info and to donate. All I ask if you ever read a column, followed my Instagram, listened to the podcast or saw me dressed as a poo for no reason."
You can read Deborah's full essay for Bowel Cancer UK here.
She continued: "Please buy me a drink to see me out this world, by donating the cost to @bowelbabefund which will enable us to raise funds for further life saving research into cancer. To give more Deborah’s more time.
"Right now for me it’s all about taking it a day at a time, step by step and being grateful for another sunrise. My whole family are around me and we will dance through this together, sunbathing and laughing (I’ll cry!!) at every possible moment."
You can visit Deborah's Bowelbabe fundraising page here.
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