THIS Morning’s Dr Philippa Kaye has revealed she’s undergoing surgery seven years on from her bowel cancer battle.
The TV GP took to Instagram to share the update on the day of the operation, promising to check back in with her followers after.
In the video, Philippa wore a hospital gown and showed herself getting ready for the operation.
“When the day of the surgery arrives, the time for worry is over. No more questions or concerns,” read her post caption.
“You put your big girl pants on. You trust in your team and you let go. See you on the other side.”
The This Morning star chose Sara Bareilles’s song Brave as the audio for the video.
Philippa didn’t reveal what surgery she was having done or any other details of her health diagnosis, but the operation comes seven years after she fought cancer.
The mum-of-three was diagnosed with stage two bowel cancer aged 39 and underwent treatment at the time.
This included six months of chemotherapy and a 12-hour surgery to remove the final cancer lesion.
In October 2020, she revealed live on-air that she had been given the all-clear.
“For the first time in nearly 18 months I am able to say that I am cancer free, that is huge, and I am hugely excited to be out of my day pyjamas to speak to you!” she said at the time to Holly Willoughby and Philip Schofield.
Fans were quick to offer up messages of support in the comments section of her latest video.
“Sending you much love for a speedy recovery wonderful lady,” wrote one, while another penned: “Lots of healing vibes coming your way xx”
“Thinking of you and your family…wishing you all the luck in the world…,” commented one.
A fourth wrote: “You’ve got this lovely lady.”
Writing for The Sun back in 2024, Philippa revealed that although she received the all-clear she still needs to attend yearly check ins.
“Mine was found to be related to a genetic mutation which doubles my risk of bowel cancer,” she penned.
“Even though my latest scans and colonoscopy last August were clear, I will continue to have to be assessed annually, because although my cancer was treated, my genes remain and my risk is still double the general population.”
The GP has always encouraged people to get any symptoms of bowel cancer checked out, with early diagnosis saving lives.
Bowel cancer symptoms to look out for
BOWEL cancer is the fourth most common form of the disease in the UK – but the second deadliest, claiming around 16,000 lives a year.
Yet it can be cured if it’s diagnosed early.
Fewer than one in ten people survive bowel cancer if it’s picked up at stage 4, but detected at stage 1 – before it’s spread – and more than nine in ten patients will live five years or longer.
There are two ways to ensure early diagnosis, screening and awareness of the symptoms.
Brits have been subjected to a postcode lottery when it comes to bowel cancer screening, with tests sent out in Scotland from 50, while people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland have to wait until they are 60.
That’s why The Sun launched the No Time 2 Lose campaign, calling on the Government to lower the screening age, to save thousands of lives a year.
In summer 2018 The Sun and its readers secured a huge win with the Health Minister at the time, Matt Hancock, agreeing to start screening at 50, however, this is yet to be widely rolled out.
While screening is an important part of early diagnosis, so is knowing the symptoms and acting if you spot the signs.
The five red-flag symptoms are:
- Bleeding from the back passage, or blood in your poo
- A change in your normal toilet habits – going more or less often for example
- Pain or lump in your tummy
- Extreme tiredness for no real reason
- Unexplained weight loss
If you’re worried, don’t be embarrassed and speak to your GP – doctors see and deal with bowel problems all the time.
