BBC Radio 1 DJ Adele Roberts has revealed she has been diagnosed with bowel cancer, having shared the news with fans in the hope that it might encourage others to get checked out if concerned themselves.
Roberts, 42, posted a photo of herself wearing a hospital gown while giving a thumbs up and a smile to the camera, saying she hoped her post would 'reach anyone who might benefit from seeing it or reading it'.
She explained that she had been having digestion problems and went to get checked out by her GP, before being diagnosed with cancer earlier this month.
Roberts, who appeared in Big Brother in 2002, wrote: "For a while now I've been struggling with my digestion. Thanks to a conversation I had with my Dad a few years back I went to my GP for a check up.
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"I'll be honest, I was embarrassed but I also knew that it could be something serious. So I went just in case. I didn't think anything of it at first and just assumed it might be food sensitivity.
"After a few phone calls I was sent for some examinations and checks. I was then diagnosed with bowel cancer. This was at the start of the month.
"It's all happened so quickly and I'm so sorry to post something like this on here but I hope it helps anyone who might be worrying, or suffering in silence. PLEASE make sure you get checked out if you have ANY concerns. The sooner you're able to see your GP or talk to someone the sooner you can get help.
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"If I hadn't I might not be so lucky. As I've learned over the last few weeks, there's no 'normal' with cancer. Sadly it can affect anyone, at any age, anytime. It doesn't discriminate. Early detection can save your life."
Roberts went on to praise the 'incredible' work of the NHS, referring to staff as 'heroes'.
She said that she is due to receive surgery today (Monday 25 October) to remove the tumour, and then would have to wait to find out if anymore treatment is needed or if the cancer has spread.
Roberts added: "So far the outlook is positive and I feel so lucky that I can be treated. It's just the start of my journey but I'm going to give it everything I've got."
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As well as thanking her family, in further comments continued in the carousel of images she also thanked her employers at BBC Radio 1, who have been 'incredible' - telling listeners they had been getting her through the past few weeks 'without even knowing'.
Roberts also shared an infographic on bowel cancer symptoms, which include bleeding from your bottom and/or blood in your poo, a persistent and unexplained change in bowel habit, unexplained weight loss, extreme tiredness for no obvious reason and a pain or lump in your tummy.
Featured Image Credit: Alamy
Topics: Entertainment, Celebrity, Health