Updated 27 June: Adele Roberts has confirmed she is cancer free in a celebratory new Instagram post uploaded this morning. The BBC Radio 1 DJ – who was diagnosed with bowel cancer in October last year – said hearing her doctor tell her the news was “the most beautiful sound”.

“Everything we’ve been through seems to be swirling around in my body and life feels a bit surreal at the moment… BUT I AM SO GRATEFUL!” Roberts wrote under an image of her with her doctor.

“I am counting my blessings. I am also in awe of anyone dealing with cancer. The courage, the strength, the determination… and at times, the humour you have shown has been nothing short of super human. You’ve inspired me and given me the fire to never give up.

“You’re warriors and it’s thanks to seeing you being so strong that’s kept me going. Feel the fear and do it anyway. Sometimes it took me all my strength just to get out of bed and face the day but I still did it. Every day I made sure I did something to do a huge f*ck you to cancer. It’s taken too many of us. I didn’t know what fate had in store for me but I knew I’d never stop trying.” 

Roberts went on to thank everyone who’s supported her while she’s been sick – adding that the “love and positive thoughts” she has received help her to keep going.

“Your mind can go to dark places when dealing with cancer but that’s the one thing I knew I had control over. My body might have been dying – it’s still so sore now – but there was no way I was letting it destroy my spirit.

“If anything, it’s made me happier than I’ve ever been. Going through the darkness has given me the light. It’s transformed me, given me my little stoma Audrey, brought amazing people into my life and it’s time now for me to start really living.”

Roberts has been open about her cancer journey since she first received her diagnosis. In November, the presenter said she “owes the NHS [her] life” after returning to BBC Radio 1’s Weekend Breakfast show a month after bowel cancer surgery.

The presenter – who was diagnosed with bowel cancer in early October – said she was “buzzing to be back” and confirmed that her tumour had been successfully removed.

“My body is on the mend and I am here,” she told listeners. “It’s a huge testament to the skill and knowledge and level of care at the NHS. They’re amazing. I owe them my life. I can’t thank them enough.” 

She continued: “I can’t believe it – it’s a month since I had surgery and I’ve got goosebumps. A month on, it’s incredible what the body is capable of. I feel amazing. I’m lucky, I’m happy, and I’m buzzing to be back.”

As reported 25 October: BBC Radio 1 DJ Adele Roberts has opened up about being diagnosed with bowel cancer in a powerful and honest new Instagram post – and reminded us that there’s no ‘normal’ when it comes to cancer.

Roberts – who also appeared on last year’s series of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here – said she wanted to share her experience in the hopes that someone might benefit “from seeing it or reading it”.

“For a while now I’ve been struggling with my digestion,” she wrote. “Thanks to a conversation I had with my Dad a few years back I went to my GP for a check-up. I’ll be honest, I was embarrassed but I also knew that it could be something serious. So, I went just in case.” 

Despite assuming for a while that her problems could be down to “food sensitivity”, Roberts said her doctor decided to send her for some further examinations and checks, which led to her bowel cancer diagnosis.

“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,” she continued. “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. 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 then went on to explain that she’s having surgery today (25 October) to remove her tumour, and that doctors will be doing further investigations afterwards to confirm whether the cancer has spread, and if she’ll need any further treatment.

She concluded: “I didn’t know I’d be writing something like this. The hardest thing wasn’t even finding out I had cancer, it was telling my family. It broke my heart.

“Thinking of you if you are going through something similar and sending love to your family and friends. Thank you to everyone who’s shared their journey online or publicly. You’ve brought me so much comfort and helped me through those sleepless nights. I hope this post can do the same for someone else.” 

Elsewhere in her post, Roberts outlined the main symptoms of bowel cancer – and urged those who have symptoms to get them checked out.

According to the NHS, bowel cancer is one of the most common types of cancer diagnosed in the UK, although most people who are diagnosed are over the age of 60. However, as Roberts’ story shows, that doesn’t mean younger people can’t be affected – and that’s what makes her decision to share her diagnosis and raise awareness of the illness so important.

We wish her all the best in her treatment and recovery. 

The symptoms of bowel cancer

According to the NHS, the three main symptoms of bowel cancer are:

• Persistent blood in your poo – that happens for no obvious reason or is associated with a change in bowel habit
• A persistent change in your bowel habit – having to poo more or your poo becoming runnier
• Persistent lower abdominal (tummy) pain, bloating or discomfort – that’s always caused by eating and may be associated with a loss of appetite or significant unintentional weight loss

While most people with these symptoms won’t have bowel cancer, you should still get them checked out if they’re persistent or you’re worried at all.

For more information about bowel cancer and the signs to look out for, you can check out the NHS website. 

Image: Getty