Love Island star Demi Jones has revealed she has been back in hospital for scans, five years after being diagnosed with thyroid cancer. The 28-year-old reality star, who appeared on the ITV dating show in 2020 and finished in third place, shared the update on social media over the weekend.
Hospital Visit for Ultrasound
Sharing a photo from inside a hospital on her Instagram Stories, Demi wrote: "Back for another ultrasound on the neck cyst yesterday." She added: "Met a lovely girl who kindly said hello and was also going for a scan on her thyroid. Women and thyroid issues are honestly relentless."
The image showed a profiling care bed in a hospital corridor, with a slip-hazard cone and a laundry trolley nearby. The visit came a day before she posted, according to her caption.
Cancer Journey and Awareness
Demi was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2021, following her initial appearance on Love Island. She underwent surgery to have her thyroid removed and was told by doctors by the end of 2021 that she was "cancer-free." Doctors typically test patients for five years after treatment before giving official confirmation of being cancer-free.
Since her diagnosis, Demi has been open about her health battle, helping others seek medical advice. Former Hollyoaks star Abi Phillips credited Demi for encouraging her to get tested, after Phillips was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2022. Phillips said in an Instagram post: "[Demi's] lumps were in the exact same place as mine. If ever you find a lump or something unusual on your body, never just think it's nothing, don't be told that you're fine by the GP and you're 'young', always get things checked out by a specialist if you can and insist on tests even if it turns out to be nothing, as catching things early is crucial for a good prognosis."
Early Signs and Symptoms
Demi has also spoken about her initial dismissal of symptoms. She explained: "Thyroid cancer is when abnormal cells in the thyroid gland start to divide and grow in an uncontrolled way. Symptoms of thyroid cancer include hoarseness of the voice, a sore throat, difficulty swallowing and a lump. But, for me personally, I just had a lump on the side of my neck. I first discovered my lump back in 2019 when I was at uni, but I was too busy having fun."
She said it was only after messages from strangers and followers pointing out the lump that she booked a doctor's appointment. Doctors performed an ultrasound and blood test, drained fluid from the lump, and two weeks later she was called back for surgery. She recalled: "At this point, I felt really uncertain. I went straight into surgery where they removed half of my thyroid and the lump to test if it was cancerous. A couple of weeks later, the doctor called me in. As soon as they said the word 'cancer', I just went into shock. So, I then had to go back in for a second surgery where they removed the rest of my thyroid."
Demi continues to raise awareness, telling fans: "If you think you have any symptoms of thyroid cancer, please speak to your GP."
