Deborah James announces she has moved to hospice care as she says ‘goodbye’

BBC podcaster and cancer campaigner Deborah James has announced she has moved to hospice at home care, nearly six years after she was diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer.

The You, Me And The Big C presenter, forty, was diagnosed with the condition in December 2016, and has since kept her 450,000 Instagram followers updated with candid posts about treatment and what it’s like to live with inoperable cancer.

James, known as Bowel Babe on social media, announced she had ‘nearly died’ in hospital after suffering an acute medical emergency in January, resulting in her spending the majority of the year in and out of hospital.

And last night, after months of gruelling cancer treatment, the mother-of-two shared the ‘message I never wanted to write’ and announced that her treatment had been stopped and she had been moved into hospice at home care.

In an emotional Instagram post, James wrote: “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.

“I know we have left no stone unturned. But even with all the innovative cancer drugs in the world or some magic new breakthrough, my body just can’t continue anymore.”

She admitted that while her situation is ‘heartbreaking to be going through’, she is surrounded by so much love that ‘if anything can help me through I hope that will’.

James went on to share her newly established Bowel Babe Fund which raises awareness and money for charities close to her heart, including Cancer Research UK, Bowel Cancer UK and The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.

She wrote: “All I ask if you ever read a column, followed my Instagram, listened to the podcast or saw me dressed as a poo for no reason. 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.”

James added: “Right now for me it’s all about taking it a day at a time, step by step and being grateful for another sunrise.

“My whole family are around me and we will dance through this together, sunbathing and laughing (I’ll cry!!) at every possible moment!

“You are all incredible, thank you for playing your part in my journey. No regrets. Enjoy life x”.

Since James’ post last night, the Bowel Babe Fund has raised over £1m, which will be distributed between her chosen charities. You can donate for yourself here.

For more information on bowel cancer and the early signs to look out for, visit Bowel Cancer UK and Cancer Research UK.