Adele Roberts says she is “more than ever” in love with her body after posing for a photoshoot with her ostomy bag on display – as she spoke about her battle with colon cancer.
The BBC Radio 1 DJ, 43, underwent colostomy surgery to remove a colon tumor last year, telling her followers at the time that “this little ostomy bag helped save my life”.
Former Big Brother housemate Adele, who has been open about her chemotherapy and radiation treatments, told Woman’s Health: “Being diagnosed with cancer means I’ve learned to appreciate my body. be thankful it works; be thankful they found the tumor in time to remove it and be thankful [that modern medicine means I can] have an ostomy.
Speaking of which, Adele Roberts, 43, says she’s “in love with her body more than ever” after posing for a photoshoot with her ostomy bag on display
“I feel like I love my body more than ever.”
In a colostomy, one end of the large intestine (part of the intestine) is rerouted through an opening (stoma) in the abdomen. A bag is placed over the stoma to collect feces.
She went on to say that she spent a lot of time processing the pain and excitement of her diagnosis and found it difficult to speak to other women in the hospital who were in poorer health or terminal.
However, she says connecting with people online who are going through similar situations helps her stay positive.
Health: The BBC Radio 1 DJ underwent surgery to have part of her intestines removed last October after she was diagnosed with cancer
“Following people on social media who are undergoing treatment and sharing their stories has really helped me,” she said. People who have lived their lives – really with cancer.
“And that was something I hadn’t really seen before my diagnosis. Stories on TV often show the sad side of cancer, which definitely exists. But I didn’t know how much more I could do. I can run, I can swim, I can still do my show on Radio 1.
Last week Adele said she is crossing her fingers she will be cancer free in six weeks when she goes for her next scan.
New approach: Former Big Brother roommate Adele told Woman’s Health: “Being diagnosed with cancer means I’ve learned to appreciate my body.”
Difficulties: She went on to say that she had spent a lot of time processing the pain and excitement of her diagnosis
What is an ostomy bag?
Due to an intestinal disease, an ostomy bag is created.
Bodily waste is diverted from its usual path due to dysfunction in parts of the urinary or digestive systems.
It transitions from a surgically created stoma on the abdomen to a prosthesis known as a “pouch” or “ostomy pouch” on the outside of the body.
An ostomy can be temporary or permanent.
Source: Stoma.org
The star announced her diagnosis in October and has since shared her journey and raised awareness about the disease.
Speaking on ITV’s Loose Women on Wednesday, Adele said she was very ashamed to go to the doctor with her symptoms and said her chemotherapy had left scars on her skin.
She said: “It’s been an amazing week, on Monday I had my last chemotherapy. It was December when I started, it felt like it would never end. Each cycle built and built and became wonder and wonder.
“In six weeks I’ll have a scan and hopefully I’ll be cancer free then I’ll give the final ok fingers crossed.
Honest: The star announced her diagnosis in October and has since shared her journey and raised awareness about the disease
Heartbreaking: It comes after Adele fans were heartbroken last month after her friend Kate Holderness shared a video of the star in hospital as she battled colon cancer
Read the full interview with Adele Roberts in the June issue of Women’s Health UK
“I had no idea about colon cancer. When I went to the toilet I noticed mucus that was starting to get blood.
“It was during the pandemic, I didn’t want to call the doctor, my girlfriend thought it was because I had a lot of kale, but it was becoming regular and I decided I had better call … it was such a shock because I it did ‘not feel uncomfortable.’
Adele added that she currently uses a ostomy pouch – which she has christened ‘Audrey’ – to help her go to the toilet and admitted she will be ‘sad’ when she does.
She said: “Next up is hopefully a holiday, being on the beach with my little stoma, I’ve got one right now.
“To help me recover I have an ostomy, it’s a small opening in my stomach that helps me go to the toilet. Eventually it will be reversed…she got me through so much, she saved my life, I will be emotional when she leaves.
Read the full interview with Adele Roberts in the June issue of Women’s Health UK, available from 24 May and also available in digital format.
A timeline of Adele Roberts’ battle with colon cancer
October 2021: Adele announced in a poignant Instagram post that she has been diagnosed with colon cancer after being forced to miss some of her radio shows. The DJ noted that she got her result after having digestive issues and visiting her GP.
October 2021: Adele tells her fans she “turned the corner” after undergoing surgery to remove a tumor after being diagnosed with colon cancer.
Sharing a photo from her hospital bed for the first time, Adele told her concerned followers: “Just a quick note to thank everyone. You were absolutely amazing! So kind, send good wishes and take care of my family.
November 2021: Adele paid tribute to the NHS as she returned to her Radio 1 Breakfast Show on Saturday after her colon cancer surgery. Speaking to her listeners, she noted that she felt she owed the NHS “her life”.
December 2021: After starting chemotherapy, Adele detailed the early side effects of the treatment, which so far have included a metallic taste, swollen fingers and sore teeth.
Adding that she intends to continue with her daily life, the star said: “I will do my best to continue as normally as possible and see what this body can do.”
January 2022: The star opened up about her ‘shock’ cancer diagnosis and explained the impact of her surgery to remove the tumor during an appearance on Good Morning Britain.
Speaking to hosts Kate Garraway and Ben Shephard, she explained: “It was a shock. I didn’t know I could get cancer, which I know sounds silly because I now know it can happen to anyone at any age. I’m vegetarian. I am healthy. I work out.’
February 2022: Adele reveals her colon cancer has been growing inside her for 10 years. Describing how the disease developed, the star credited her with making the switch to a healthier lifestyle, which helped her recover quickly after previously being “clinically obese” with a “poor diet.”
February 2022: Amid her cancer battle, Adele announced she had tested positive for Covid-19.
April 2022: Adele reveals her ostomy bag has ’empowered’ her and that she is not letting her colostomy surgery hold her back.
Speaking about Lorraine, the I’m A Celeb star said: “It saved my life. I’m so thankful that I got a stoma, it allows my gut to heal from the surgery.’
She explained that while the surgery will be reversed, she finds it “empowering” to talk about her stoma.