In her final message, which was posted by her family, Dame Deborah James urged everyone to “check your poop” and added, “it could save your life.”
After the death of Dame Deborah James, the number of people searching for bowel cancer symptoms on the NHS website increased tenfold, according to the health service.
Wednesday saw an increase from Tuesday in the number of visits to the NHS’s bowel cancer webpages, from 2,000 to 23,274.
The family of activist and podcaster Deborah James confirmed on Tuesday that she had died at age 40 after being diagnosed with colon cancer in 2016.
Dame Deborah’s candid accounts of living with colon cancer inspired charitable donations totaling millions of pounds.
In her final message, which was posted by her family, Dame Deborah James advised, “and finally, check your poop – it may save your life.”
The NHS has also urged people not to be “prudish about poop,” warning that people are often embarrassed to discuss symptoms.
Bowel cancer is the fourth most prevalent cancer in England, with approximately 37,000 new cases each year.
Among the symptoms of Bowel cancer are:
Undiagnosed fatigue
Unexpected weight reduction
Persistent stomach or abdominal pain lasting more than a few days
Changes in bowel habits, such as pooping more frequently or with a different consistency than usual
Michelle Mitchell, the chief executive officer of Cancer Research UK, reported a 120 percent increase in visits to the organization’s bowel cancer information pages the day after James’ death, compared to the day before.
Amanda Pritchard, the chief executive of the NHS, remarked, “People rarely feel comfortable discussing their cancer diagnosis and treatment, but Deborah’s courageous account of her journey has prompted thousands more people to check for symptoms. There is no question that this has saved lives.
“Discussing cancer saves lives. Therefore, our message to you is: “Don’t be prudish about poop, and seek medical attention if you have concerning symptoms.”
According to Health Secretary Sajid Javid, James has “changed the national dialogue about cancer.
“Having lost my father to colon cancer, I am aware of how devastating this disease can be, and we must continue to break down barriers surrounding what she referred to as the ‘C-word’ – encouraging people to have open and honest conversations,” he added.
Dame Deborah James received end-of-life care at home with her husband, Sebastien, and their two children during her final weeks.
