Demi Jones has revealed she is “cancer free” and has opened up about her “lowered confidence” during her battle with the disease.
The former ‘Love Island’ star, 24, was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in May 2021 after discovering a lump on her neck.
Demi told Web that she has been to the hospital every month since being diagnosed, but three weeks ago she was given the “all clear” she doesn’t need to go again.
In an exclusive interview to mark the launch of St. Moriz’s Ready to Glow body awareness campaign, Demi said, “I went to the hospital about three weeks ago and they gave me the all clear!” I’ve been going to the hospital every month for the past three years , but they said I don’t need to go there anymore and they are sending me my medicines.”
She added, “I’m feeling very free this year and being able to be myself again!”
EXCLUSIVE: Demi Jones has revealed she is “cancer free” and has opened up about her “lowered confidence” during her battle with the disease
Fight: The former ‘Love Island’ star, 24, was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in May 2021 after discovering a lump on her neck
Speaking about the low-confidence struggle, she explained, “I think as an Islander there’s a lot of pressure to look a certain way, especially after the show. I’ve always been a curvy girl and there’s always this pressure to look what you look like on Instagram.
“Especially when I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. I got through it and I’m on the other side. I felt so ready to take on the world again, but I’d gained about five pounds, so my clothes didn’t fit. That’s why I turned to my beauty, it obviously comes from within, but it made me feel good.
What is thyroid cancer?
Thyroid cancer is a rare type of cancer that affects the thyroid, a small gland at the base of the neck that produces hormones.
Women are two to three times more likely to get it than men.
Symptoms of thyroid cancer can include:
- a painless lump or swelling in the front of the neck
- swollen glands in the neck
- inexplicable hoarseness that does not improve after a few weeks
- Sore throat that doesn’t get better
- difficulties swallowing
About 9 out of 10 people are still alive five years after diagnosis. Many of these are cured and have a normal lifespan.
Source: NHS Choices
“I now realize that you have to find that confidence within yourself, and if you’re happy with yourself, that inner confidence will reflect on the outside.” IUD and my recovery would have taken much longer.”
The TV star underwent two surgeries after doctors discovered a golf ball-sized tumor in her throat and treated it.
The disease originates in the cells of the thyroid, a butterfly-shaped gland just below the Adam’s apple in the back of the neck.
Telltale signs include a lump in the neck, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, and hoarseness.
Demi kept her fans updated throughout her battle with cancer to raise awareness about the disease.
She said, “It was difficult because everything was magnified because you’re going through this in your personal life, which is difficult enough as it is, but I felt like I had to share my story.”
“I think if I had gone through it alone, I would have been in crisis and couldn’t live a double life of struggling privately and pretending everything was fine on social media.” But speaking about it, what helped me and people came up to me and said I helped them by telling my story, it helped me.”
Demi is now doing what many islanders do when they leave the villa: going on vacation, posting content for her followers and collaborating with big brands like Shein and St. Moriz.
She’s amassed a massive Instagram following of 1.1 million and says she’s found a way to deal with hate comments.
The influencer explained, “I put up such a strong wall that I actually laugh when I see negative comments because I’ve heard everything.” If they don’t know you personally, don’t take it personally.
She also openly admitted that she edits some of her social media images: “I edit my photos and any influencer who says they don’t is lying to you.”
“But I don’t make it to the point that it doesn’t look like me anymore, it’s just a crease or a smoothing.”
“I think it’s important for influencers to be honest and just do what makes you happy. If it makes you feel good, then do it.” “Sometimes I have to remind myself that a lot of what you see on social media isn’t real.”
Demi said: ‘I went to the hospital about three weeks ago and they gave me the all clear.’ I feel very free this year and I can be myself again!’
Confident: She’s amassed a massive Instagram following of 1.1million and says she’s found a way to deal with hate comments
Pros: Award-winning self-tanning brand St. Moriz has launched its latest campaign, titled ‘Ready to Glow,’ which aims to boost confidence and promote body positivity
Award-winning self-tanning brand St. Moriz, which sells a bottle every 20 seconds in the UK, has launched its latest campaign, ‘Ready to Glow’, designed to boost confidence and promote body positivity.
Alongside Demi, the campaign features popular personalities Lauren-Nicole Coppin Campbell and Sophie Lee, who share their experiences of becoming confident and overcoming moments of self-doubt to support and inspire others.
After battling cancer herself, Demi is urging people to avoid tanning beds and switch to self-tanners to take care of their health.
She said, “If there’s any advice I can give, please try a self-tanner, not a tanning bed.” It’s affordable, it makes you glow.
“To get these results, you don’t have to go to the tanning bed and cause long-term skin damage, because at the end of the day the tan might be natural, but you still have to go ahead and top up the tan like you would.” Apply self-tanner.
“The long-term effects it causes, such as melanoma cancer. My stepfather, who I live with, is currently suffering from melanoma cancer, so it’s so important to me.”
Demi rose to fame on Love Island’s first winter series of 2020 and was dating hunk Luke Mabbott, but three months after the show, the two went their separate ways.
Speaking of her tanning routine at the villa, Demi said: “That was my biggest fear going into the villa. I was like how am I going to keep my artificial tan for about six weeks because I’m a redhead that I don’t wear.” I don’t tan naturally.
“I took all my St. Moriz tanning products there and they took everything off me, I was so stressed!” Luckily Jess had some, I’m not sure why she let it in but yeah it was really difficult to keep it up because you don’t have much time to get ready, so I begged the producers to let me take a shower first.”
Adam Collard returned to the show last year after his 2018 stint, as did Jessie Wynter, who starred in the Australian series but appeared in the UK winter season in February.
And Demi has said that if an opportunity came up for her again, she wouldn’t turn it down.
The influencer said: “If I was ever asked I would probably do it now because I was only 21 when I first went there. I was so shy and didn’t speak up for myself and wouldn’t go for someone as often as I wanted to.” Too.
“I think now I’m more mature and a lot more confident that I would really do what I wanted to do. So if the opportunity came up, I wouldn’t say no.”
The St. Moriz brand and its Tan Tribe is about breaking down the stereotypes and barriers surrounding tanning and breaking the stigma that beauty routines are only for vanity; Repositioning self-tan as armor rather than mask.
Throwback: Demi rose to fame on the first Love Island winter series in 2020 and was dating hunk Luke Mabbott, but three months after the show the two went their separate ways
Commenting on the women selected for the campaign, Katy Clark, Marketing Manager at St. Moriz said: “Our Ready to Glow models are ambassadors of resilience, determination and empowerment.”
“It was amazing to hear their incredibly inspiring stories of how they found confidence and learned to love themselves through their self-care practices.” We are really proud to be collaborating with such positive and inspiring women on this campaign.
Then Demi shared her top three tips for using self-tanner: “My first tip is, when you apply the tan, blot it off because it will get rid of any hard lines.” Also, never apply tan to your hands and feet again on, use only the excess so they don’t get too dark. And finally, moisturize to make it last.”
She also encourages her fans to try their favorite tanner: “My favorite tan is the color-correcting Mouse in the medium shade, it neutralizes my red undertones.”
If you have any questions or concerns about cancer, the Macmillan Support Line is available daily from 8am to 8pm on 0808 808 00 00.
More information and support is available online at macmillan.org.uk, including peer to peer support in the online community.