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Radio 1’s Adele Roberts getting surgery for bowel cancer: ‘I’m going to give it everything I’ve got’

"Sadly it can affect anyone, at any age, anytime. It doesn’t discriminate. Early detection can save your life."

By Alastair James

Words: Alastair James; pictures: Instagram/@adeleroberts

BBC Radio 1’s Adele Roberts has revealed she’s having surgery today (Monday 25 October) after being diagnosed with bowel cancer. 

In a social media post, the DJ opened up about her journey so far and shared the symptoms people should look out for.

Writing on Instagram, Adele said she wanted to post about it in the hopes sharing her story might help others.

“Early detection can save your life”

Opening up about her experience, Adele said: “For a while now I’ve been struggling with my digestion. Thanks to a conversation I had with my Dad a few years back I went to my GP for a check up.

“I’ll be honest, I was embarrassed but I also knew that it could be something serious. So I went just in case. I didn’t think anything of it at first and just assumed it might be food sensitivity. After a few phone calls I was sent for some examinations and checks.

“I was then diagnosed with bowel cancer. This was at the start of the month.”

Adele encouraged her followers to get themselves checked out if they have any concerns and to see a GP sooner rather than later. She added: “Sadly it can affect anyone, at any age, anytime. It doesn’t discriminate. Early detection can save your life.”

 
 
 
View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Adele Roberts (@adeleroberts)

Praising the NHS, who she says have been “INCREDIBLE,” she revealed she was getting surgery today (Monday 25 October) to remove a tumour and that “so far the outlook is positive”.

“It’s just the start of my journey but I’m going to give it everything I’ve got,” the winner of the Broadcast Award at the 2021 Virgin Atlantic Attitude Awards, powered by Jaguar said.

Adele has also thanked her family, friends, Radio 1 colleagues, and fans, saying the hardest part of everything so far has been telling her family. 

She said: “It broke my heart. If you know any of them please look after them for me until I can see them again. Especially my Katie. I worry about her being on her own while I’m away.”

Wanting to finish on a positive note Adele shared an inspirational quote she’d found recently: “Strength doesn’t come from what you can do, it comes from overcoming the things you once thought you couldn’t.”

We’re sending all our love and best wishes to Adele and her family and friends right now!