Celebrity3 min(s) read
'Married At First Sight' star reveals first sign of bowel cancer after sharing heartbreaking update
Married At First Sight expert Mel Schilling has revealed the early symptoms she experienced before being diagnosed with bowel cancer.
As previously reported, the 54-year-old, who appears on both the Australian and UK versions of the hit reality show, said this week that doctors have told her there is nothing more they can do after the disease spread to her brain.
In a recent message to fans, Schilling - who had been diagnosed with colon cancer in December 2023 - explained that her condition worsened after new symptoms appeared late last year.
"Over Christmas, however, I began experiencing blinding headaches and numbness down my right side. After many tests, I was told the cancer had spread to the left side of my brain and, despite subsequent radiotherapy sessions, my oncology team have now told me there is nothing further they can do," she penned on Instagram.
The television star revealed that the news has drastically changed her outlook on life.
Schilling said she was initially hopeful about her chances after undergoing extensive treatment over the past two years while continuing to film Married at First Sight.
"Unfortunately, in late February 2024, during a routine scan, small nodules were discovered in my lungs. The cancer had metastasised, and my world changed again in an instant.
"Over the past two years, while filming MAFS, I underwent 16 rounds of chemotherapy and was later told I was eligible for a groundbreaking clinical trial specific to my gene type, due to start in March 2026. Once again, my optimism soared that I might beat this thing."
But following the spread of the disease to her brain, doctors told her there were no further treatment options available.
First Symptoms That Led To Diagnosis
Schilling has been open about the warning signs she experienced before discovering she had bowel cancer.
According to Occtopus – Oxford Colon Cancer Trust, she shared that she was concerned after she started losing her appetite, which caused noticeable weight loss.
Schilling also struggled with cramps and constipation and found she could not keep food or water down. Despite these symptoms, she said she never noticed blood in her stool.
After returning to the UK and speaking with her GP about the symptoms, she was referred for a CT scan, which revealed a tumor the size of a lemon.
Doctors later removed a five-centimeter tumor during surgery, which Schilling had nicknamed "Terry."
In her latest update, Schilling said the illness has made even basic daily activities challenging and that she is now relying heavily on her family.
"My light is starting to fade... Simple tasks have become incredibly difficult, and I am relying on my beautiful family to look after me. I honestly don't know how long I have left, but I do know I will fight to my last breath and will be surrounded by the love and support of my people," she said.
Despite the devastating news, Schilling thanked supporters who have sent messages since the start of her cancer journey.
"At the outset of this journey, so many of you sent the most wonderful messages of support. They have meant more than I can ever properly express and have helped shape the mindset I've needed to keep fighting," she penned.
"If I could leave you with one thing, it would simply be this: if something doesn’t feel right, please get it checked out. It might just save your life," she concluded.