DAME Deborah James revealed the moment her “life was turned upside down” by her bowel cancer diagnosis.
The Sun writer also told how she felt “afraid, very afraid about taking this further” when she noticed her symptoms.
Deborah died yesterday aged 40 after she defied an eight per cent chance of living more than five years after being diagnosed in 2016.
She wrote a final message to her followers before she passed away, saying: “Find a life worth enjoying; take risks; love deeply; have no regrets; and always, always have rebellious hope," she said.
“And finally, check your poo – it could just save your life.”
In 2017, the former deputy headteacher wrote for charity Bowel Cancer UK about her diagnosis. She said: "There is a sense of disbelief that happens when you are told you 'might' have cancer. A feeling that this is happening to someone else – not you.
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“I mean 'you' were out parting two days ago, ran five miles yesterday, have a school to lead, have Christmas presents to buy – you don't have time for cancer! It wasn't in the plan!
"Within the hour I was booked in to return to the hospital the next day for a CT scan, a MRI and a meeting with the surgeon – not what I had originally planned for my Friday night!
"My husband and I left the hospital numb to embark upon the most surreal period and roller coaster of our lives.”
She called herself a "textbook hypochondriac" but said she originally put changes in her bowel movements down to "too much wine, a new job and stress of trying to be that full time working 'super mum'."
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And she was repeatedly told she had IBS, haemorrhoids or worse case colitis and that her blood and stool samples were normal.
But she said: "I knew there was something wrong with me, a sixth sense if you will, because for the first time I was afraid – very afraid about taking this further.
"Fed up with waiting for a referral, I'm lucky I was able to take myself off privately to have a colonoscopy.
"Being so scared however, I made sure I went skiing, had finished the school term and bumped three appointments just because something was telling me this might change everything.
"I was blind-sided at 7pm on Thursday 15 December 2016, when having refused the sedative and having researched what cancerous tumours would appear like in a colonoscopy (total hypochondriac geek alert!), I stared my ugly 5.5cm cancerous, ulcerated stage 3 tumour in the face and everything went silent.
"On that idle Thursday however, I came back sobbing to the day ward (maybe it was the gas and air!) proclaiming that I know 'he' found something – I mean I saw it too.
"You know there is an issue when the consultant asks 'is someone here with you?'. Calmly the fantastic consultant comes in and confirms my worst fear.
"That he had found a large tumour that I will need to have removed via an operation and whilst he can't be 100 per cent certain, it’s likely that it's cancerous."
She said she left the hospital with husband Seb feeling numb, adding: "My world turned upside down with the words 'you have cancer' thinking at first that it was stage 3 and totally curable 'hiccup' in my life, to being faced with the harsh reality of being 35 and having to face stage 4 bowel cancer head on."
She went on to campaign tirelessly to raise greater awareness for bowel cancer, urging followers to check themselves for symptoms.
She wanted people of all ages to know the warning signs, which include blood in poo, obvious changes in loo habits and weight loss.
A lump or pain, usually around your stomach or back passage, is also a symptom as well as extreme tiredness.
Other signs of bowel cancer include:
- Gripping pains in the abdomen
- Feeling bloated
- Constipation and being unable to pass wind
- Being sick
- Feeling like you need to strain – like doing a number two – but after you've been to the loo
Every 15 minutes someone is diagnosed with bowel cancer. That’s nearly 43,000 people every year, or 120 people every day
Fewer than one in ten people survive bowel cancer if it's picked up at stage 4. However, if it's detected quickly – at stage 1 – more than nine in ten patients will live five years or longer.
Being aware of the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer, spotting any changes and going to your doctor is vital.
If you notice any of the signs, don't be embarrassed and make sure you speak to your GP.
Tributes poured in for Deborah following her death.
Boris Johnson said he was "terribly saddened" by the news of Dame Deborah's passing.
The PM wrote: "What an inspiration she was to so many.
"The awareness she brought to bowel cancer and the research her campaigning has funded will be her enduring legacy. Because of her, many many lives will be saved."
Sir Keir Starmer praised Deborah's charity work in a tribute shared on Twitter.
The Labour leader wrote: "Deeply sad news.
"Dame Deborah James’ charity work was truly inspirational — even in the most challenging moments, she continued to raise awareness about bowel cancer and impacted so many people’s lives.
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"Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this difficult time."
Piers Morgan described her as “a truly remarkable and inspiring woman” adding it was “such sad news”.
What are the symptoms to look for? Remember “BOWEL”
- : B: Bleeding
There are several possible causes of bleeding from your bottom, of blood in your poo.
Bright red blood could come from swollen blood vessels, haemorrhoids or piles, in your back passage.
Dark red or black blood could come from your bowel or stomach.
Blood in your stools is one of the key signs of bowel cancer, so it's important to mention it to your doctor so they can investigate.
2. O: Obvious change in loo habits
It's important to tell your GP if you have noticed any changes in your bowel habits, that lasts three weeks or longer.
It's especially important if you have also noticed signs of blood in your poo.
You might notice you need to go to the loo more often, you might have looser stools or feel like you're not going enough or fully emptying your bowels.
Don't be embarrassed, your GP will have heard a lot worse! Speak up and get it checked.
3. W: Weight loss
This is less common than the other symptoms, but an important one to be aware of. If you've lost weight and don't really know why, it's worth mentioning to your GP.
You may not feel like eating, feel sick, bloated and not hungry.
4. E: Extreme tiredness
Bowel cancer that causes bleeding can cause a lack of iron in the body – anaemia. If you develop anaemia you're likely to feel tired and your skin might look pale.
5. L: Lump or pain
As with lots of other forms of cancer, a lump or pain can be a sign of bowel cancer.
It's most likely you'll notice a pain or lump in your stomach or back passage.
See your GP if it doesn't go away, or if it affects how you eat or sleep.
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