BBC presenter with cancer shares powerful images just before diagnosis

A BBC presenter fighting against bowel cancer shared pictures of herself glamorous while she did not know that her body was ravaged by the disease.

Deborah James, co-host of Radio 5 Live's podcast, You, Me, and the Big C, posted the images to encourage others to consult a GP or to request a diagnosis when they have air in. good health, but that they are sick.

Ms. James, a mother of two, said she seemed to look good on the photos taken a few weeks before the devastating diagnosis, but she had a number of alarming symptoms.

The 37-year-old woman said that she would have had stage 4 bowel cancer at the time, including a 6.5 cm (2.5 inch) tumor, and she would have liked to know the signs.

Ms. James, a cancer advocacy activist who advocates for a place in Strictly Come Dancing, pointed out that looking healthy does not mean her body is fine, and encouraged people not to ignore their symptoms.

The deputy head shared the photos on Instagram after being inspired by the 10-year social media challenge.

A selfie shows Mrs. James cuddling with her husband, Sebastien Bowen, just 24 hours before she discovers that she has bowel cancer.

Other pictures show that she holds a glbad of wine a week before the diagnosis and at a party with her brother and sister two months ago.

She wrote in a caption: "I would have had stage 4 intestinal cancer – including the 6.5 cm tumor – in me in all of these cases."

In an article, she wrote: "When I look back at old photos, I would have liked to know the symptoms." Pushed for a reference.

She added in another: "My point being in all the pictures, I look healthy, but I was pooping, I was tired and I had changed my habits bowel. "

Ms. James was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2016.

She has been very public with her battle, sharing regular updates on social media while encouraging others to know the signs and consult a GP if they think something is wrong.

Two days ago, she announced that her cancer was stable after her body reacted badly to the new treatment at Christmas.

Ms. James wrote on Instagram: "STABLE!" Every cancer patient knows that sigh of relief, permission to breathe again, the new window of hope that begins.

"Never underestimate the power of a word Yes, I always have a challenge, yes, I still have cancer, but keep dancing in the rain!"

She presents the podcast You, Me And The Big C with Lauren Mahon, who is in remission of bad cancer.

Their former co-host, Rachael Bland, died at the age of 40 from a rare triple negative bad cancer last September.

After Mrs. Bland's death, Ms. James told Lorraine Kelly, of ITV, that her friend was "one of the healthiest people I know" until her tragic death.

Ms. James said, "I miss her so much, even looking at these pictures, it breaks my heart.

"But what we've done together is that we've put cancer away from prime time, and I'm so proud of doing it with her and her heritage and what we we have started, we will continue. "

"It really bothers me, the idea that you have to fight cancer and Rachael is a great example.

"She was the most positive, optimistic and healthy person I could think of, but she died of cancer."