Married at First Sight star Mel Schilling has died of bowel cancer at the age of 54, prompting renewed focus on the disease's warning signs. Bowel cancer is one of the most lethal cancers in the UK, causing around 17,700 deaths annually.
While common symptoms include bleeding from the bottom, blood in stool, and changes in bowel habits, Bowel Cancer UK highlights three often-missed signs: unexplained weight loss, persistent fatigue, and abdominal pain. The charity advises speaking to a GP if you lose weight without trying, as it may be linked to feeling sick or bloated.
Fatigue, especially when accompanied by pale skin, could indicate anaemia from a lack of healthy red blood cells. Abdominal pain, bloating, or vomiting may signal a bowel obstruction, where a tumour blocks the bowel. In such cases, you might also be unable to pass stool or wind.
Genevieve Edwards, chief executive of Bowel Cancer UK, said: 'Mel's courage in speaking openly has helped raise vital awareness. Every 12 minutes someone in the UK is diagnosed with bowel cancer. If you experience symptoms, please contact your GP for an at-home test.'
The charity stresses that these symptoms do not always mean cancer, but it is important to find the cause. The NHS advises urgent GP appointments or NHS 111 contact if stool is black or dark red, or if there is bloody diarrhoea.
