This Morning’s Dr Zoe Williams reveals she had a bowel cancer scare earlier this year

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‘I put it off for a while’: This Morning’s Dr Zoe Williams reveals she had a bowel cancer scare earlier this year as she discusses The Real Full Monty stint

  • During Tuesday’s This Morning, the healthcare professional, 40, revealed she had ‘unpleasant’ tests after she noticed changes in her bowel habits
  • The TV personality, who has confirmed she’s now ‘fine’, shared how the condition claimed the lives of some of her relatives
  • Former Gladiators star Zoe also expressed the importance of raising awareness as she discussed her experience of stripping off on The Real Full Monty
  • The seasonal special sees the stars strip and take to the rink to perform a routine to raise awareness about cancers which affect intimate areas of the body 
  • The first 90-minute special was broadcast on Monday, and the second edition will air on Tuesday at 9pm on ITV 

By Rianne Addo For Mailonline

Published: | Updated:

Dr. Zoe Williams has revealed she had a bowel cancer scare earlier this year.

During Tuesday’s This Morning, the healthcare professional, 40, explained how she visited her GP and had ‘unpleasant’ tests after ‘putting off’ the changes she noticed in her habits.

The TV personality, who has confirmed she’s now ‘fine’, also expressed the importance of raising awareness about similar conditions as she discussed her experience of stripping off for a good cause on The Real Full Monty. 

‘I put it off for a while’: Dr. Zoe Williams has revealed she had a bowel cancer scare earlier this year during Tuesday’s This Morning

The panellist shared how she first detected a switch in her bowel pattern as she said: ‘I had a bowel cancer scare myself this year but I’m fine. I put it off for a while. My bowel habits changed. 

‘On one occasion I had blood in the stool so rang my GP and had tests, which weren’t pleasant. My grandmother and my auntie both died of bowel cancer.’

Dr. Zoe recently joined the likes of Coleen Nolan and Gareth Thomas for this year’s edition of The Real Full Monty.

Detailing her stint, the former Gladiators star said: ‘We’re all doing it for the same reason. We’re doing it to save lives. 

'We’re doing it to save lives': The healthcare professional, 40, discussed her experience of stripping off for a good cause on The Real Full Monty (pictured centre on Monday's show)

‘We’re doing it to save lives’: The healthcare professional, 40, discussed her experience of stripping off for a good cause on The Real Full Monty (pictured centre on Monday’s show)

'They were unpleasant': The TV personality, who has confirmed she's now 'fine', was tested after 'putting off' the changes she noticed in her habits

‘They were unpleasant’: The TV personality, who has confirmed she’s now ‘fine’, was tested after ‘putting off’ the changes she noticed in her habits

SYMPTOMS OF BOWEL CANCER

Bowel, or colorectal, cancer affects the large bowel, which is made up of the colon and rectum.

Such tumours usually develop from pre-cancerous growths, called polyps.

Symptoms include:

  • Bleeding from the bottom
  • Blood in stools
  • A change in bowel habits lasting at least three weeks
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Extreme, unexplained tiredness
  • Abdominal pain

Most cases have no clear cause, however, people are more at risk if they: 

  • Are over 50
  • Have a family history of the condition
  • Have a personal history of polyps in their bowel
  • Suffer from inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn’s disease
  • Lead an unhealthy lifestyle  

Treatment usually involves surgery, and chemo- and radiotherapy.

More than nine out of 10 people with stage one bowel cancer survive five years or more after their diagnosis.

This drops significantly if it is diagnosed in later stages. 

According to Bowel Cancer UK figures, more than 41,200 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer every year in the UK. 

It affects around 40 per 100,000 adults per year in the US, according to the National Cancer Institute.

‘It’s not to raise money for charity, it’s to tell people we should all be checking ourselves regularly. If you find anything that’s unusual, get it checked out. I thought it was an opportunity to learn how to ice-skate well. 

‘I managed to stand up and not fall over while the camera was rolling. First and foremost, as a doctor, a huge part of my job as a doctor is to raise awareness of cancer. It’s one of the reasons I love my job here at This Morning.’

The physician went on to explain what we should look out for when detecting bowel cancer as she added: ‘Initially when men are women start checking, just check once a month to get familiarised. 

Candid: 'On one occasion I had blood in the stool so rang my GP', the Amazon star told hosts Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes

Candid: ‘On one occasion I had blood in the stool so rang my GP’, the Amazon star told hosts Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes

Details: The physician went on to explain what we should look out for when detecting bowel cancer

Details: The physician went on to explain what we should look out for when detecting bowel cancer

'We're all doing it for the same reason': Dr. Zoe recently joined the likes of Coleen Nolan and Gareth Thomas for this year's edition of The Real Full Monty

‘We’re all doing it for the same reason’: Dr. Zoe recently joined the likes of Coleen Nolan and Gareth Thomas for this year’s edition of The Real Full Monty

‘If you notice a lump, a change in texture, a pain, get it checked. As a GP, we never think people are overreacting or think it’s minor. We’d much rather reassure you that it’s nothing to worry about. 

‘From the show last night, someone messaged Jake Quickenden and said she’d found a lump that she’s going to get checked out.’ 

The stars taking part in the two-part specials on ITV show revealed all to the nation on Monday, and another episode will air Tuesday. 

The 90-minute specials aim to highlight the importance of shedding body inhibitions and making checks in intimate areas to prevent cancer. 

The Real Full Monty On Ice airs continues on Tuesday 15th December at 9pm on ITV. 

The Real Full Monty On Ice 2020: Who Are The Stars?

DAME JENNI MURRAY

Age: 70

Profession: Women’s Hour legend

CHRIS HUGHES 

 Age: 27

Profession: Reality Personality

DR ZOE WILLIAMS

Age: 40

Profession: This Morning doctor 

HAYLEY TAMADDON

Age: 43

Profession: Actress

JAKE QUICKENDEN 

Age: 32

Profession: Singer 

COLEEN NOLAN 

 Age: 55

Profession: TV presenter

JAMIE LOMAS 

 Age: 55 Profession: Comedian and TV personality Clara says: ‘I’m not Lord of the Dance, more a sort of caretaker of the dance’ Fun fact: Bill is a classically trained musician and multi-instrumentalist

Age: 45

Profession: Actor 

LINDA LUSARDI

Age: 62

Profession: Model

GARETH THOMAS

 Age: 46

Profession: Rugby star

SHAUGHNA PHILLIPS 

 Age: 25

Profession: Reality personality 

PERRI KIELY

 Age: 55 Profession: Comedian and TV personality Clara says: ‘I’m not Lord of the Dance, more a sort of caretaker of the dance’ Fun fact: Bill is a classically trained musician and multi-instrumentalist

Age: 24

Profession: Dancer 

 BOB CHAMPION

Age: 72

Profession: Jockey

ASHLEY BANJO

 Age: 32

Profession: Dancer