Married at First Sight dating coach Mel Schilling has announced she has been diagnosed with colon cancer. The 51-year-old psychologist shared the news on Instagram on Tuesday, stating that doctors informed her of the diagnosis last week.
Schilling, who has been part of the MAFS cast since 2016 in Australia and later on the UK version on E4, said she will spend Christmas in hospital undergoing surgery to remove a 5cm tumour. She described the tumour as potentially fatal if left undetected.
The relationship expert, alongside Paul Brunson and Charlene Douglas on the UK show, explained that she initially experienced severe stomach cramps a few months ago and was told it was constipation before a scan revealed the cancer. She urged others not to ignore unusual symptoms and to seek further medical opinions if necessary.
Schilling expressed gratitude that the cancer is treatable and expects a full recovery, though she acknowledged a challenging road ahead. She posted a photo with her husband Gareth and daughter Madison, noting that while spending Christmas in hospital is tough, removing the tumour is 'the best present of all'.
Colon cancer, a form of bowel cancer, affects around 42,000 new patients annually in the UK, according to Cancer Research UK. Symptoms include changes in bowel habits, such as persistent diarrhoea or constipation, and a frequent feeling of needing to use the toilet.
