Radio Host Announces She's Cancer-Free Despite Being Diagnosed with Incurable Bowel Cancer

Benjamin VanHoose

One U.K. radio host is “beyond happy” to report that she is currently cancer-free.

Three years after being diagnosed with life-threatening bowel cancer, Deborah James, 38, an on-air personality for BBC Radio 5 Live’s podcast You, Me and the Big C, announced to her Instagram following earlier this week that she has “no evidence of cancer” in her body.

“Ok Cancer – you chose the wrong girl. 3 Years on, 10 operations, too many scans, a lot of chemo, some fancy drugs, lots of tears….I’m still standing – and you (according to my most recent scans!) are still sleeping!” she wrote in her celebratory caption.

She added: “It’s a bit bonkers (and I haven’t honestly processed this for a few reasons), but right now, I have no evidence of cancer in my body!!. Which seems bonkers considering at one stage I had 15 tumours!”

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Ok Cancer - you chose the wrong girl. 3 Years on, 10 operations, too many scans, a lot of chemo, some fancy drugs, lots of tears....I’m still standing - and you (according to my most recent scans!) are still sleeping! In fact, we have cut you out, burnt you, zapped you, ablated you, used radiotherapy, used targeted therapy, used every tool in the book and right now in fact according to my team we are “rewriting the text book!”. It’s a bit bonkers (and I haven’t honestly processed this for a few reasons), but right now, I have no evidence of cancer in my body!!. Which seems bonkers considering at one stage I had 15 tumours! And the stats (8% survival at 5 years for metastatic Bowel Cancer) are against us. Yes I’m beyond happy. Have I celebrated. No! (I should!) BUT I’m realistic. Yes I’m in a place I never thought possible. But I’ve been here once before a few years ago and it was whipped away from me 6 weeks later! So I’m prepared. We all are. I’m still on treatment (tomorrow in fact!). Praying it continues to work. Being beyond grateful to be here today.......still taking it one step at a time. Maybe one day I’ll do slightly larger steps and start looking beyond the next 2 weeks! I hope!.....in the meantime I’ll just keep “living”.... : #fuckyoucancer #cancer #bowelcancer

A post shared by Deborah James (@bowelbabe) on Jan 13, 2020 at 2:09pm PST

James further explained she was informed that the survival rate for her diagnosis was 8 percent at five years. She also clarified that she is still undergoing treatment.

“Yes I’m beyond happy. … BUT I’m realistic,” she wrote. “… Praying it continues to work. Being beyond grateful to be here today…….still taking it one step at a time.”

In a follow-up post, James said the disease has a possibility of resurfacing in the future, though she is focusing on the positives at the moment.

“On paper I’m in a great place. In reality I’m scared, waiting for the floor to be whipped, wondering how long it will last,” she wrote. “… Knowing it will rear it’s ugly head again one day? Surely it will. Statistically it will.”

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Thank you! I’m blown away and humbled by your support and your messages. I feel truly thankful to be able to share the highs and the lows of “living with cancer” with you. : Today this is what being “NED” having (No EVIDENCE of Disease) looks like!”. Ploughing on. Business at usual! Back on treatment - no rest for the wicked and all that. On paper I’m in a great place. In reality I’m scared, waiting for the floor to be whipped, wondering how long it will last. Not wanting to let anyone down. Knowing it will rear it’s ugly head again one day? Surely it will. Statistically it will. I’m using every ounce of will power to get me to treatment (cue panic attack again today!). But I’m hopeful. And grateful. So onwards and upwards, giving thanks. : #cancer #livingwithcancer #whatnext

A post shared by Deborah James (@bowelbabe) on Jan 15, 2020 at 5:57am PST

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James added: “I’m using every ounce of will power to get me to treatment (cue panic attack again today!). But I’m hopeful. And grateful. So onwards and upwards, giving thanks.”

According to Mayo Clinic, signs and symptoms of colon cancer can include ongoing changes in bowel habits, bloody stool, persistent cramping, unexplained weight loss and fatigue.

Speaking with BBC Breakfast on Wednesday, James said she intends to “raise a glass” to the good news.

“I never ever thought we would be here. It’s only just sinking in,” she told the radio show. “Nobody knows what the future holds. Essentially nothing changes for me — why change something when it’s working?”