DEBORAH James’ shone a light on bowel cancer amid her own diagnoses.
Before her death, the late Sun columnist devoted her life to raising awareness of the disease.
Who was Deborah James?
Born on October 1, 1981, Deborah James was a former deputy head teacher turned blogger, podcaster and cancer campaigner.
After being diagnosed with stage 4 incurable bowel cancer in December 2016, she started her blog, BowelBabe.
Just a few months later she started sharing her journey of living with incurable cancer in her Sun Online column, Things Cancer Made Me Say.
During her life she also presented the podcasts You, Me & the Big C for BBC’s Radio 5 Live, and The Good Stuff – which she hosted with her children. She was also the author of two books, F*** You Cancer and How To Live When You Should Be Dead.
Deborah was granted a damehood before she passed away.
Since the Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnosis, Deborah’s parents have said she would’ve been proud.
Heather and Alistair James told The Sun: “Kate, William and their family are in our thoughts, and we send all our love from our family to theirs.
“Deborah would be so proud. The Princess of Wales has shown incredible courage in speaking out so publicly about her treatment.
“It takes huge bravery to do so, but her bravery will help millions of cancer patients and their families face this horrible disease.
“What’s more, in being so open and honest, Kate will undoubtedly encourage many more people who are living with potential symptoms of cancer, to seek medical help. In doing so, she will save lives.”
When was Deborah diagnosed with cancer?
Deborah was diagnosed with incurable bowel cancer days before Christmas in 2016.
In May 2022 she revealed her treatment was no longer working, and she had moved back to her parent’s home in Woking to die.
In a heartbreaking goodbye message to her Instagram followers, she said: “My body just can’t continue.
“The message I never wanted to write. We have tried everything, but my body simply isn’t playing ball.
“My active care has stopped and I am now moved to hospice at home care, with my incredible family all around me and the focus is on making sure I’m not in pain and spending time with them.
“Nobody knows how long I’ve got left but I’m not able to walk, I’m sleeping most of the days, and most things I took for granted are pipe dreams.”
You can read Deborah’s message in full here.
In the days that followed her final message, Deborah launched her Bowelbabe Fund, to raise money to help fund cancer research, to help others avoid her fate.
She called on people to buy her a final drink and donate to @bowelbabefund, which can be found at bowelbabe.org.
She said: “Please buy me a drink to see me out this world, by donating the cost to @bowelbabefund which will enable us to raise funds for further life saving research into cancer. To give more Deborah’s more time!”
In the final weeks of her life, Deborah was recognised with a Damehood, and Prince William visited her at her family home to present her with the honour.
On June 28, 2022 it was announced Dame Deborah had died at her parents home, surrounded by her loved ones.
Was Deborah married and did she have children?
Deborah was married to Sebastien Bowen, who works in the financial world.
He works for Pomona Capital, and before that he was a Director at MetLife Investments.
Together they had two children, Hugo and Eloise.
Did Deborah James have bowel surgery?
Deborah underwent multiple operations as part of her cancer treatment.
In 2022 she told her followers that she had five operations in 10 days following a medical emergency during which she almost died.
As well as having surgeries, Deborah also underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
How did Deborah James know she had bowel cancer?
Deborah went to the doctors after noticing a change to her bowel habits.
She noticed she was passing blood in her stool before being sent for several referral appointments.
She went for a colonoscopy when a tumour was located.