Adele Roberts says she's had rectum removed in life-changing cancer operation
The radio DJ announced she had bowel cancer in 2021
Adele Roberts has revealed she's had her rectum removed in a life-changing operation following her cancer diagnosis.
The Radio 1 Dj, 43, announced her bowel cancer diagnosis back in 2021. She subsequently underwent treatment and had a stoma bag fitted to remove waste from her body, before sharing in June 2022 that she was cancer free.
Roberts has now taken to Instagram again to explain that while she is still cancer free, the journey with her stoma, which she has named Audrey, is ongoing.
Advert
She shared a snap of herself with the bag visible beneath the waistband of her leggings, and explained she'd learned in a meeting with her consultant that the stoma would be 'staying for the time being'.
"It’s a long story but essentially it’s not possible to give me a reversal of my stoma anytime soon," Roberts wrote, adding: "He also casually mentioned that I’ve had my rectum removed. I might not be able to go to the toilet normally again ever… WTAF?!"
Cancer Research explains that there are two main types of surgery for bowel cancer, including removing the cancer 'along with a border of healthy tissue' and removing 'the part of the rectum that contains cancer, a border of healthy tissue around it, and the fatty tissue around the rectum'.
The I'm a Celeb star, who works as a Radio 1 DJ, went on to say she wanted to 'try and do some good' while she is living with a stoma by sharing what life is like 'day to day'.
She explained at the time: "Clothes which are a good fit / accessible… sometimes pants nearly drag my stoma bag off before I’ve even got out of the door. How I keep fit & motivated (without prolapsing) Comfy shoes!! My feet are still BATTERED from chemo. Seriously.
"It might also be good to share how accessible places, events and venues are. These are things I have to be mindful of when I’m out & about.
"I’m still not confident eating and drinking away from home. So even if I’m lucky enough to be out at night, DJing or at an event I don’t stay long, I don’t eat or drink much and I’ve got a military knowledge of where every toilet is - especially the accessible ones."
Roberts pointed out there are 'around 200,000 people in the UK with a stoma', saying that 'together I feel like we could do a lot of good'.
Emily Brown