MAFS UK's Mel Schilling reveals her cancer is in remission

Married At First Sight UK expert Mel Schilling revealed back in December 2023 that she'd been diagnosed with colon cancer, with the relationship expert urging her followers to get any symptoms checked, after she 'ignored the signs'.

Over one year later, Mel has now appeared on Lorraine, where she's confirmed her cancer is now in remission.

Speaking on the show on Monday 13th January, 53-year-old Mel said: “I am doing well, the cancer is in remission. Ahh Lorraine it’s been a year… Christmas Eve last year, I just got out of hospital and I just made it home in time for Christmas. It was pretty grim. I was just feeling very grateful to be out of hospital but still in a lot of pain and recovering. So fast forward a year to the Christmas we have just had, it was my first cold Christmas and we went crazy. We went Christmas crazy!”

Opening up about her symptoms, the relationship expert added: “I think one of the big issues that came out of this for me is that I wasn’t listening to my body. I was just full speed ahead, doing my job, travelling the world, doing my thing and living my best life, but all of these symptoms were happening in my body and I wasn’t paying attention.

“There was pain, there was constipation. I hadn’t been to the toilet in three weeks by the time it became acute, and I somehow managed to ignore that.”

The proud mum also gave advice to anybody experiencing similar symptoms, adding: “It’s not an old person's disease anymore. It used to be thought of that way but I’ve been flooded with messages from people in their twenties and thirties who have said ‘I’ve had the same diagnosis as you Mel’ or ‘I’m having similar symptoms. Thanks for the nudge, I’m going to get it checked out.’ So I think my message is, if you’re having symptoms, if you’re noticing a change in your bowel habits, let’s not be scared to talk about it anymore - it’s just poo.”

Mel previously took to Instagram to share the news of her diagnosis back in December 2023. Posting a photo with her family, she wrote: 'YOU HAVE CANCER. Three little words that everyone dreads but no one ever expects to hear. Last Thursday my consultant told me those 3 words.

'About a month ago when I was filming in Australia I developed severe stomach cramps on set, I put it down to all the travel I’d been doing and the upset it caused to my system. I saw my GP in Sydney and he put it down to constipation, gave me some laxatives and sent me on my way. Fortunately I knew something still wasn’t right so I booked in for a scan when I returned to the UK. On Thursday I was told I had colon cancer and in an instant my whole life changed.

'John Lennon famously said that life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans, how right he was. This week I had planned to travel to Northern Ireland with my family to spend Christmas with loved ones. Instead tomorrow morning I’m checking in to hospital to have an operation to remove a 5cm tumour in my colon, a tumour that had it gone undetected for much longer would have killed me.

'Despite this I feel incredibly blessed that it’s a cancer that is relatively easy to eradicate, I’m expected to make a full recovery though it’s a rough road ahead. I also feel so lucky to have an incredible support network around me, both personally and professionally, my own family and my TV family have been amazing this past few days.

'It will be so tough to spend Xmas Day in hospital instead of being surrounded by family but getting rid of Terry (what I’ve named my tumour) will be the best present of all. I just wanted to finish by saying that if something doesn’t feel right, please, please don’t ignore it and if you don’t think the answers you have got are right, keep going until you do, it might just save your life 💋.' (sic)

Later in December 2023, Mel went on to explain that she'd had keyhole surgery to remove the tumour, which she refers to as 'Terry'.

Sharing a photo from hospital, Mel said: 'So yesterday lunchtime I had keyhole surgery to remove my tumour (AKA Terry) and in the words of my amazing surgeon it couldn’t have gone any better! Crucially the cancer hadn’t spread to my abdominal cavity, which was our greatest fear but was entirely localized in my colon. Over the coming days I will discuss my treatment plan going forwards but suffice to say that Terry is toast! 🥳.'

Going on to thank those who have sent supportive messages, and express her gratitude for the NHS, Mel continued: 'I have been absolutely blown away by the countless messages of support I have received from all of you beautiful people, I am so very touched and can honestly say it’s made a difference, so thank you all.

'I also wanted to say that everyone in the UK should be incredibly proud of the people of the NHS. I’m not talking about the funding, the structure or the waiting lists, just the people.

'Everyone from my consultant to the surgical team and especially the wonderful nurses managing my recovery have been just superb. It’s not just their professionalism but also their genuine concern, bedside manner (especially the nurses) and their endlessly sunny disposition, despite working up to 14 hour days. I owe all of these wonderful people my life and I will be forever indebted to them. The NHS is a unique, precious institution we need to make sure it’s here to serve our children and our children’s children.'

Despite the diagnosis, Mel was quick to return to work for the 2024 series of Married At First Sight, where she appeared alongside Paul C Brunson and Charlene Douglas.

Mel is also set to be back on our screens very soon, with the 2025 series of Married At First Sight Australia, which was filmed last year. With the show starting in Australia in January, UK fans can expect it to arrive in the coming months.

Now read:

Your ultimate guide to MAFS Australia series 12

Married At First Sight experts just accidentally paired an ex-couple together

MAFS UK stars Tayah and Adam are expecting their second baby

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