BB Blog

Veteran BBC Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen has said he has been diagnosed with bowel cancer.

The former BBC Breakfast host said he was undergoing chemotherapy after noticing "funny pains in my legs and in my back" whilst in Iraq last May.

Screening for bowel cancer in England is to start taking place aged 50, Public Health England said Last Year. April is bowel cancer awareness month and Bowen revealed his diagnosis to raise awareness of the disease.

Doctors initially believed the veteran journalist's pain was due to scarring from previous surgery, he told BBC Breakfast, the show which he presented alongside Sophie Raworth between 2000 and 2002.

"I had no symptoms - none of the classic bowel cancer symptoms. Nothing at all. But I thought I should get a test", he said.

He said he received a positive result and had a colonoscopy - a camera inserted into the colon to look for signs of cancer.

"It's not nearly as bad as it sounds - they give you lots of drugs," he said.

Surgeons found a tumour, which they removed, and he was currently having chemotherapy, he said.

A great interview by Lorriane with singer John Newman this morning about living with a brain tumour and raising awareness for Brain Cancer and asking us all join in with the 'Wear a Hat campaign' tomorrow #BrainTumourAwarenessMonth

I encourage everyone to listen to his humble encouraging and inspiring words, I was really impressed, especially as everyone can relate to his words at some point in their lives.

"A smooth sea never created a skilled sailor"

I've listed the signs of Brain Tumours in adults below and you can find out on the signs of brain tumours in babies, children and teens and about being HeadSmart here:

https://www.headsmart.org.uk/

John Newman has topped the charts many times, but the singer reveals that despite his success, the pressure to produce hit songs made him fall out of love with music. His wife has been a driving force for him, encouraging him to enjoy the music and release the 'bangers' like his new single Feelings. He's also living with a brain tumour and is fronting the Wear A Hat Campaign to raise awareness of the symptoms of brain tumours.

The Brain Tumour Charity

Watch the entire interview with John on ITV's Lorraine show here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=powRZtZ5xo0

The signs and symptoms of a brain tumour vary greatly and depend on the brain tumour's size, location and rate of growth.

Are you looking for cancer headwear in Ireland? Bold Beanies are made in the UK with fast easy postage to Ireland.

With a wide range of stylish headwear for women, men and kids of all ages suffering from cancer and alopecia hair loss you're bound to find the hat, scarf, head wrap or PICC cover sleeve you're looking for. 

A wide collection of plain hats which can be customised with any slogan, name or image you want and sent fast to Ireland. Why not have the Irish flag put onto a hat in support for a sports game? or show support for your favourite Ie team in your favourite colours. 

Silky soft, breathable headwear made using quality cotton stretchy material to fit snuggly, easily and comfortably on the head. Breathable and temperature controlling and available in standard and extra large for adults and two sizes for children with hair loss.

Free UK Postage for all orders over £40 and Free shipping to the rest of Ireland on all orders over £55

Looking for fashionable stylish headwear whilst going through chemotherapy treatment for Cancer? Just added to the website, the Liberty Grace Bold Beanie

A gorgeous Liberty Art Fabrics floral print in a lovely blue, tan and ecru colour-way. Super silky-soft and comfy for younger women suffering temporary medical or non-medical, more permanent Alopecia hair loss. 

Losing your hair can leave you feeling very self-conscious, but the Grace Bold Beanie is so easy and comfortable to wear with no styling required that you will forget you're wearing it and can just get on with your day. 

Designed using the highest quality cotton stretchy fabrics with minimal seams to fit snugly and comfortably on the head, they are suitable (breathable and temperature controlling) for night wear and a stylish night cap for a good nights sleep. 

Made in the UK by a busy mum who has experience Breast Cancer and Chemotherapy for herself and felt the market needed pretty headwear for younger women with Cancer. Also new to the range, PICC line cover sleeves and Liberty Head Scarves and Head Wrap also in this fabulous Liberty flower print. 

Looking for a gift for someone going through cancer? Get the Liberty Grace Bold Beanie made into a gift rose or send in a bear hug card.

Limited Edition While Stocks Last.

See also our wide range of cancer hats and gifts for Men, Teen Girls, Boys and Kids.

Sara has a new blog posting over on 'A Great tit' about the latest curve ball...

"The last month has been really hard and very stressful. I may as well have been floating about the ocean on flotsam – I’ve felt that helpless.  I am not some pink ribbon bedecked Boudica spoiling for a fight; I’m a scared little kid that wants someone to come save her.

Physically I’m doing very well. I’m virtually pain free and to a stranger I must seem perfectly healthy. Following my last scan, I was told that I’m responding to my current treatment regime better than your average patient.  Well of course I am! And I’m mighty proud of myself. In fact, if there was a treatment leaderboard I’d like to think I’m at the top! “Go big or go home!”

Perhaps it was this ‘super patient’ skill that made them offer me an additional treatment, who knows, but it was quite the curve ball! Totally up to me, window of opportunity not open indefinitely, we need an answer – c’mon! Chop, chop!

(For those of you who may be interested, the drug is called Abemaciclib, it’s a CDK4/6 inhibitor. I’ve only recently conquered the pronunciation, so I’m not going to try and explain what it’s meant to do. Google is your friend!)

First time around I took and endured everything that was offered or prescribed.  I wanted to live and that was the treatment goal. This time it’s different. There are treatments aplenty available to me, but none offering a cure, and the possibility of life without any treatment is no longer an option.  Consequently, my choices are measured and defined more by the quality of my life than my longevity. If it’s possible to have both then obviously I want to seize the chance – if only everything was clear cut, but it isn’t."