Married At First Sight’s Mel Schilling has revealed she ‘doesn’t know how long’ she has left after doctors confirmed her cancer has spread.
Releasing a statement on Instagram, the dating and relationship expert said that, following her diagnosis of colon cancer in December 2023, she was initially given the all-clear.
However, in February 2024, a routine scan detected small nodules in her lungs, which showed that the cancer had spread, and she subsequently underwent 16 rounds of chemotherapy – all while filming MAFS.
She wrote: ‘I was eligible for a groundbreaking clinical trial specific to my gene type, due to start in March 2026. Once again, my optimism soared that I might beat this thing.
‘Over Christmas, however, I began experiencing blinding headaches and numbness down my right side.
‘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.’
Mel added that her ‘light is starting to fade – and quickly,’ writing: ‘I honestly don’t know how long I have left, but I do know I will fight to my last breath and will be surrounded by the love and support of my people.’
She also urged those who feel that something isn’t ‘right’ with their bodies to get it checked out, because ‘it might just save your life.’
Bowel cancer – which is a catch-all term for cancers that start in the bowel, including the colon and rectum – is the third most common cancer worldwide, sitting just behind breast cancer and lung cancer.
What bowel cancer symptoms should we be looking out for?
Dr Robin Clark, medical director for Bupa Global and UK, previously told Metro these are the things we should keep in mind:
- There’s no such thing as a perfect poo – it comes in all shapes and sizes, colours and textures. Your poo reflects what you’ve eaten lately, so it’ll probably be different every time you go.
- If you’ve had blood in your poo for no obvious reason, you should see your GP. The blood can be bright or dark red on the surface or mixed in with the poo, or you may notice it in the toilet bowl. Occasionally, it can make your poo look black, like tar.
- You should also be aware of persistent changes in your bowel habits. This includes having to poo more or feeling like you haven’t fully emptied your bowel when you’ve been – your poo may be looser or you may find it harder to go. If any of these changes last for three weeks or more, you should see your GP.
- If you notice abdominal pain after eating, see your GP as soon as possible. Don’t put it off, as early diagnosis really does save lives.
- Other symptoms include unexplained weight loss and extreme tiredness for no reason.
Public Health England figures show more than one million of those invited for a bowel cancer screening between 2020 to 2022 didn’t take up the invitation within six months of being invited. Embarrassment is a key factor, as over a third of those surveyed said poo is a taboo subject.
However, Mr Shahnawaz Rasheed, consultant general surgeon at the Cromwell Hospital, wants to reassure patients.
‘People worry about a potential diagnosis, but also perhaps worry more about what happens during an appointment, whether that’s an awkward, personal conversation or an examination,’ he previously explained.
‘It’s worth remembering that the doctors and nurses are there to help you through any anxieties you may have and to be sensitive to your needs.
‘And there’s no need for embarrassment — we see many patients with similar problems all the time.’
When caught early, 98% of people with bowel cancer will survive for a year or more — this figure halves when caught at a later stage.
What are the signs that cancer has spread?
According to Cancer Research UK, when bowel cancer spreads, the symptoms can be very similar to when it’s contained to the bowel.
The guidance on its website specifies that the following signs might not necessarily indicate that the cancer has spread, and that they can signify other conditions. However, here are a few symptoms to look out for:
- Tiredness
- Low energy levels
- Reduced appetite.
If the cancer has spread to the lungs specifically, Cancer Research suggests looking out for the following:
- A cough that won’t go away
- Breathlessness
- Coughing up blood
- Fluid building up between the wall of the chest and the lung.
If bowel cancer has spread to the liver, it might include signs like pain on the right side of the abdomen, feeling sick, weight loss, yellowing or itchy skin, and poor appetite, while it extending to the bones can include aches or pains, or weakened bones.
Any cancer can also spread to the brain, and it can happen with lung, breast, kidney, melanoma, and bowel cancer.
The symptoms of secondary brain cancer – which is the term used when the disease spreads to the brain – might include:
- Headaches
- Sickness
- Weakness in a specific part of the body
- Seizures
- Mood changes
- Changes in eyesight
- Confusion
- Speech difficulties.
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