“Find a life worth enjoying; take risks; love deeply; have no regrets; and always, always have rebellious hope. And finally, check your poo – it could just save your life.”
These were the characteristically frank and inspiring words that Dame Deborah James asked her family to share with the world when they announced that their “amazing wife, daughter, sister, mummy” had died peacefully at home on Tuesday at the age of 40.
They were the same three words that James chose to sign off with in May on her final episode of You, Me and The Big C, the BBC podcast she’d co-hosted for four years, when she announced she was switching from active to palliative hospice care because, in her own words, “my body simply isn’t playing ball”.
In that episode, heartbreakingly titled Deborah James’ Last Dance, the presenter and cancer campaigner talked from her parents’ garden to friend and producer Mike Holt about her decision to end ‘active treatment’ for the bowel cancer that she had first been diagnosed with in 2016.
James, who went by the name Bowelbabe on social media, also spoke movingly about her co-hosts, Lauren Mahon, now in remission, Rachael Bland, who died of cancer in September 2018, and Rachael’s widow, Steve.
“Rach is always in my mind even now,” James said. “I just don’t know how brave she must have been to do what she did because I don’t feel that brave.
“I think I am still in awe of how she seemed to take it in her stride. Quite frankly, I’m a quivering mess half the time. But I think if she can do it, I can do it. I’ll go and party with her.”
The same day she announced she was receiving end-of-life care, James also launched the Bowelbabe fund, which has since raised more than £7m for charity, as members of the public followed her request to “buy her a drink” and donate the money to fund cancer research.
But in the final moments of the podcast, as on her family’s Instagram post, she had just two asks to make.
“We’ll see each other again, somewhere, somehow, dancing, and until then, please, please enjoy life because it is so precious. l can’t tell you. All I want right now is more time and more life,” she said, her voice breaking as she spoke.
“Oh and also, check your poo. I can’t leave on any other word apart from check your poo. I still have images of me dancing in poo outfits everywhere. So maybe I should leave on that final word. Check your poo.”
What are the main symptoms of bowel cancer?
Bleeding or blood can be a ‘red flag’ symptom of bowel cancer, but only a third of people are aware of this, according to the charity Bowel Cancer UK.
Deborah James was not alone in using her platform to raise awareness of bowel cancer. Newsreader George Alagiah recently discussed how his diagnosis has changed his whole outlook on life, while Radio 1 DJ Adele Roberts has been open about her time out in October 2021 for surgery to remove a tumour.
However, recent research by Bowel Cancer UK for Bowel Cancer Awareness Month in April suggested awareness levels aren’t where they should be.
More than four in 10 people cannot name a single bowel cancer symptom, according to a survey by the charity – with awareness lowest among men. Half of UK men (55%) were unable to spot the signs, compared to 36% of women.
This is Bowel Cancer UK’s list of the most common symptoms of bowel cancer, experienced by many who go on to be diagnosed with the disease.
Bleeding from your bottom and/or blood in your poo
A persistent and unexplained change in bowel habit
Unexplained weight loss
Extreme tiredness for no obvious reason
A pain or lump in your tummy
As Bowel Cancer UK stresses, these symptoms don’t mean you definitely have cancer, as each of these symptoms can be caused by other health problems.
But if you are experiencing one or more or, as the charity says, “things just don’t feel right”, you should speak to your GP. If you think you have a blocked bowel, you should also see a doctor straight away or go to your nearest A&E.
Don’t be embarrassed by bowel issues
If you have any of the symptoms listed above, contact your GP “as early as possible”, advises Dr Philippa Kaye, author and a bowel cancer patient herself.
“As both a GP and someone who has had bowel cancer, I completely understand it can be daunting visiting your GP with symptoms. However it is so important that you book an appointment as early as possible – please don’t feel embarrassed, don’t ignore any symptoms and don’t put it off,” says Dr Kaye.
“As GPs we are used to seeing lots of people with bowel problems and if you are worried that something is wrong we want to see you. Early diagnosis could save your life.”
In a statement to HuffPost UK, Genevieve Edwards, chief executive of Bowel Cancer UK, echoed this advice, praising James for her “check your poo” message, which she called a “crucial” reminder.
“There is no doubt that lives have been saved, and will be saved now and in the future, thanks to the increase in awareness of the disease and its symptoms that Deborah has generated.” She added: “Bowel cancer is treatable and curable, especially if diagnosed early.”
So, let’s all take a long hard look in the loo – it’s what Bowelbabe wanted us to do.