Woman with same cancer as MAFS legend Mel Schilling shares symptoms to look out for
In November 2024, Jasmin Gobel was diagnosed with colorectal cancer following a colonoscopy.
The 50-year-old had put her stomach pain down to post-menopausal abdominal pain before her condition worsened.
And now the mum is urging others to look out for the symptoms and to ‘push for it’ to be investigated.
Jasmin’s cancer is the same as the one suffered by Married at First Sight (MAFS) legend, Mel Schilling, whose death was announced yesterday (24 March).
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The Aussie reality TV icon was diagnosed two years ago, having suffered severe stomach cramps and initially being told she had constipation.
This is similar to Jasmin’s case, who said the ‘only symptom’ she had is what ‘felt like period pains’. She suffered from these for roughly nine months before she ‘landed in hospital with a blockage’.
“People don’t associate some of the symptoms with cancer – like constipation, a change in bowel movements, and stomach pains – but it’s really important to be aware,” she explains.
“And if you feel like you have symptoms, don’t let it go, keep pushing for it to be investigated."
She began struggling with her bowels in the summer of 2024 as she says: “I was still able to go, but it wasn’t normal. They thought it was internal haemorrhoids as I was prone to them."
Bowel cancer symptoms can often look like haemorrhoids, but the suppositories the doctor gave Jasmin didn't help. She said: "It just started to get worse."
The following October, Jasmin had been to the GP for suspected UTI symptoms and ended up in A&E as she found herself unable to pass urine, finding out her bladder was ‘full to the brim’.
"I was in so much pain that it was actually worse than childbirth,” she adds. “I’ve never experienced anything like it, I was beside myself in absolute agony."
A CT scan then revealed her bowel was completely blocked and she went home with laxatives and enemas.
Following tests, a colonoscopy revealed a large cancerous mass, obstructing her bowel and uterus.
Jasmin ended up having a number of operations, five cycles of chemo that didn’t work and five weeks of daily radiotherapy.
Ultimately, she was forced to undergo major surgery called a pelvic exenteration. This means the removal of some or all of the organs inside the pelvis.
Jasmin wrote in a GoFundMe back in November that doctors were looking to remove her rectum, uterus, ovaries, lymph nodes and a section of her vagina, as well as a bowel resection.
The surgery left her with a number of complications after a leakage led to sepsis, and she now has a stoma bag and needs a catheter whenever she goes for a wee.
And while her margins are currently clear, the mum worries the cancer will return.
“When you’re having symptoms, you’re already quite far down the road,” she adds.
“And the symptoms can be so subtle or mimic other things – people don’t know what to look out for.
“The treatment is harsh and life-changing. You never expect to be thrown into such a serious situation when you’re not even 50.”
Symptoms of colon cancer
- Changes in your poo, such as having softer poo, diarrhoea or constipation that is not usual for you
- Needing to poo more or less often than usual for you
- Blood in your poo, which may look red or black
- Bleeding from your bottom
- Stomach pain
- A lump in your stomach
- Bloating
- Losing weight without trying
The overlooked signs of Mel Schilling's cancer
After being diagnosed with colon cancer in 2023 before it spread to her lungs and brain this year, Mel previously opened up about the two overlooked signs, which were 'blinding headaches' and 'numbness down my right side'.
"Over Christmas, however, I began experiencing blinding headaches and numbness down my right side," she explained to her fans earlier in March when she made the heartbreaking announcement. "After many tests I was told the cancer had spread to the left side of my brain and, despite subsequent radiotherapy sessions, my oncology team have now told me there is nothing further they can do."
The NHS explains that the symptoms of a malignant brain tumour (brain cancer) can vary depending on the type of tumour, where it is in the brain, what's causing it and how quickly it's growing.
The announcement of Mel’s death
The Queen of MAFS’ husband, Gareth, shared the sad news of her death on Instagram yesterday.
"Melanie Jane Brisbane-Schilling passed away peacefully today, surrounded by love,” he wrote.
"In her final moments, when I thought cancer had taken away her ability to speak, she ushered me closer and whispered a message for Maddie and me that will sustain me for the rest of my life. It took all of her remaining strength, and that gesture summed up our wee Melsie perfectly. Even then, her only thought was for Maddie and me.
"This is a woman who became a new mum and a TV star at 42 — and nailed both.
"This is a woman who, through two years of chemotherapy, when she could barely lift her head from the pillow, never complained and never stopped showing courage, grace, compassion and empathy, and never missed a day of filming.
"To most of you, she was Mel Schilling — matriarch of MAFS and queen of reality TV. To Maddie and me, she was our wee Melsie: an incredible mum, role model, and soulmate.
"On behalf of our family and her incredible friendship group, thank you for the support from around the world.
"I also want to thank our wonderful MAFS family — John, Alessandra, Charlene, Roxy, and Sophie — for your kindness and compassion.
"To Lee, Louie, Susy, and Ian at Channel 4 / CPL, who went above and beyond for us, we will never forget it.
"To Sarah at InterTalent, not just an agent, but a true confidante.
"And to the wonderful Elizabeth Day — Mel’s podcasting partner and dear friend — thank you for your friendship and empathy.
"Life can be beautiful, and life can be incredibly cruel. But ultimately, life is fleeting, fragile, and tomorrow is promised to no one. If you can do anything to honour Mel, please live life to the full, love your people well, and try not to sweat the small stuff.
"I had 15 wonderful years with my soulmate, and it was the privilege of my life to be by her side. For that, I will be forever thankful.
"Goodbye, my love. My one. Until we meet again."
Topics: Health, Bowel cancer, Cancer
Jess Battison