Love Island’s Demi Jones has warned cancer “does not discriminate” as she celebrated being seven months free of the disease.
The former Love Island contestant, 23, said it’s not just “old people” who are at risk after being diagnosed with thyroid cancer last year.
Speaking on the Reality with Will Njobvu podcast, she said, “It [cancer] can come at any age, when i was diagnosed i was in a waiting room with old people and i thought “why me?”.
‘I was like, why me?’: Love Island’s Demi Jones warned cancer doesn’t discriminate as she celebrated being seven months free of the disease
Demi, who was given the all-clear by doctors in December, continued: “I just got off this big TV show with all these opportunities in front of me.”
“Don’t let your young life overtake you and take the time to check this out and make sure you take the time to see the doctor.”
The television personality also revealed that she receives hundreds of messages every day from “lumps” of fans asking for advice on social media.
She said: “I have to say, ‘I can’t answer that, I’m not a doctor!'”
Hospital: Demi, who was given the all-clear by doctors in December, went on to say: ‘I had just come off this big TV show with all these opportunities ahead of me’ (pictured in early 2021)
Demi told the presenter that her candid Instagram posts also led to an “actress” noticing her own symptoms.
“She had been looking at my cancer stories and then she got in the car and pulled her seat belt and noticed a lump and thought – It’s like Demi!”
After a doctor’s visit, the affected woman found out that she also had thyroid cancer and was fortunately able to be treated successfully.
It comes after Demi praised surgeons and her “beautiful” scar that put an end to “something really traumatic”.
‘I’m not a doctor!’: The television personality also revealed that she gets hundreds of messages every day from ‘lump’ fans asking for advice on social media
She told The Sun how her “superhero” surgeon, Dr. Costa Repanos was “incredibly special,” adding that they are still in touch.
She said: “I can never thank Mr Repanos enough for saving my life, cutting cancer out of me and leaving me this beautiful scar which I proudly display.
“Because I was diagnosed and treated during lockdown it was extremely isolating and I couldn’t have anyone from my family with me when I went to the hospital.
“I cannot thank the NHS enough for their kindness and warmth at one of the scariest times of my life.”
Finally! Demi looked happier than ever when she announced she was cancer free in December
Journey: She wrote alongside the snap: “I AM CANCER FREE!!!! I did it! I got the results of my full body scan back and there isn’t a single cancer cell left in my body.
The social media star posed next to the entrance sign to the Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth as she shared the news on social media on Monday.
She wrote alongside the snap: “I AM CANCER FREE!!!! I did it! I got the results of my full body scan back and there isn’t a single cancer cell left in my body.
“It has been such a difficult year for me with my surgeries and treatments but I am beyond grateful for everyone’s kindness and support over the past year.
“I will continue to campaign for cancer awareness and all my love and strength goes out to those who continue to fight this terrible disease. Here’s to a healthy and happy 2022.”
On top of the world: Demi shared how her ‘superhero’ surgeon, Dr. Costa Repanos was “incredibly special,” adding that they are still in touch
Demi was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in May 2022 after discovering a lump on her neck.
The disease develops in the cells of the thyroid, a butterfly-shaped gland found 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.
She has been open about her diagnosis throughout her journey with the disease.
The TV star underwent two surgeries after doctors found a golf ball-sized tumor in her neck and treated it in September.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF THYROID CANCER?
The main symptom of thyroid cancer is a lump in the front of the neck. However, the disease tends to develop slowly and may not cause any symptoms at first.
Thyroid cancer often causes a painless lump or swelling low down in the front of the neck.
However, neck lumps are common and are usually caused by a less serious condition, such as B. an enlarged thyroid gland. Only about 1 in 20 is cancer. A lump is more likely to be cancer if it:
See your GP if you have a swelling or lump in the front of your neck. Although it’s unlikely to be cancer, it’s important to get it checked out.
Other symptoms are:
In rare cases, thyroid cancer can affect the production of thyroid hormones and cause diarrhea and hot flashes.
Source: NHS selection