Entertainment
‘Bowel Babe’ and BBC podcaster Dame Deborah James dies aged 40 following five-year battle with bowel cancer-Kim Novak and Alicia Adejobi-Entertainment – Metro
She charted her battle on the You, Me and the Big C podcast.
Deborah James has died following a battle with bowel cancer (Picture: Bowel Cancer UK; Rex; @bowelbabe)
Deborah James, BBC podcast presenter, campaigner and blogger known as ‘Bowel Babe’ has died aged 40.
James had been diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer in December 2016 and was told early on that she may not live beyond five years.
She had charted her cancer journey on her Instagram account as well as her podcast; You, Me and the Big C alongside Steve Bland and Lauren Mahon.
A post shared to Dame Deborah’s Instagram account read: ‘Dame Deborah James.
‘We are deeply saddened to announce the death of Dame Deborah James; the most amazing wife, daughter, sister, mummy. Deborah passed away peacefully today, surrounded by her family.
‘Deborah, who many of you will know as Bowelbabe, was an inspiration and we are incredibly proud of her and her work and commitment to charitable campaigning, fundraising and her endless efforts to raise awareness of cancer that touched so many lives.
‘Deborah shared her experience with the world to raise awareness, break down barriers, challenge taboos and change the conversation around cancer. Even in her most challenging moments, her determination to raise money and awareness was inspiring.
‘We thank you for giving us time in private as a family, and we look forward to continuing Deborah’s legacy long into the future through the @bowelbabefund.’
James had undergone many operations and treatments, including experimental drugs, throughout her bowel cancer battle, including a stay in hospital in July 2021 after finding out an aggressive new tumour near her liver had wrapped itself around her bile duct, causing an infection.
She had updated fans in September after completing her latest round of chemotherapy, writing: ‘MY CHEMO IS WORKING! Words, I wanted to hear, but didn’t allow myself to think might happen.
‘I think I’ve been preparing for the worst actually. I have to say waiting for these scan results has been incredibly hard. In my head I’ve gone to hell and back.
James shared her final Instagram post on May 8 while being moved to hospice care at home (Picture: @bowelbabe, Instagram)
The podcast presenter had charted her battle with bowel cancer over five years (Picture: Mike Marsland/WireImage)
More than 400,000 supporters followed her heartbreaking journey on Instagram (Picture: @bowelbabe, Instagram)
‘These are the first scans since my previous drugs stopped working, my liver packed up, and I got sepsis. We started me back on what was my first line “nuclear chemo” and it’s fair to say it’s floored me.
‘Despite the snippets of smiles and glam dresses I choose to share here (because they are the moments in my day that make me smile), behind closed doors this has been the hardest 3 months since my diagnosis physically (and mentally).’
However, just days later she was readmitted to hospital when her temperature spiked to 40 degrees.
James was first diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer in December 2016 and was declared cancer-free in January 2020, but later found the disease had returned and would require surgery, which saw her undergo an operation on her 17th tumour last November.
James’ husband Sebastien Bowen was her rock throughout her cancer ordeal (Picture: Getty Images)
She also spoke out after the death of Girls Aloud star Sarah Harding to encourage people to get themselves checked by a doctor if they spot anything unusual about their own bodies.
James explained: ‘I live with incurable bowel cancer and I put off my own diagnosis with bowel cancer. You assume at that age you’re too young to be diagnosed. By the time I was, I had late stage bowel cancer.
‘I’m very grateful to be approaching five years, but I know that I’m smashing every statistic to do that.
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‘The key message is actually cancer is survivable. More people will strive 10 years after they are diagnosed with cancer then die from it, but that’s because of where we’re moving in terms of catching things early.
‘The first step in doing that is for people sat at home is to recognise it has to start with them and we have to come forward. It’s not putting the blame back, I’ve personally beaten myself up about regretting not getting to the GP earlier.
‘But I think if you’re one of those people who is a little bit concerned, it’s knowing, it’s scarier the longer we leave it rather than getting it sorted straight away.’
James is survived by her husband Sebastien Bowen and their two children, Hugo and Eloise.
Macmillan cancer support
If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with cancer, Macmillan can offer support and information.
You can contact their helpline on 0808 808 00 00 (7 days a week from 8am to 8pm), use their webchat service, or visit their site for more information.
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