Jasmin has undergone several rounds of gruelling treatment (Image: Jasmin Gobel / SWNS)
A mum has told how she was diagnosed with bowel cancer after experiencing the same symptoms as Married At First Sight (MAFS) relationship expert Mel Schilling, who died this week aged 54. Jasmin Gobel, from St Leonards-on-sea, East Sussex, suffered stomach pain which she initially thought were linked to menopause. But she visited her GP when she started experiencing irregular bowel movements.
Doctors initially thought she had internal haemorrhoids and a UTI but a CT scan revealed her bowel was blocked. A colonoscopy revealed a large mass and Jasmin was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in November 2024. She said: « It really is about catching the symptoms early. The only symptom I had was what felt like period pains, which I had for about nine months before I landed in hospital with a blockage.
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« People don’t associate some of the symptoms with cancer — like constipation, a change in bowel movements, and stomach pains — but it’s really important to be aware.
« And if you feel like you have symptoms, don’t let it go, keep pushing for it to be investigated. »
Mel, a psychologist and relationship coach who rose to fame on the Australian version of popular dating show MAFS, was similarly diagnosed two years ago after experiencing abdominal cramps similar to period pains. She died on Tuesday surrounded by her family.
Jasmin went to A&E after visiting the GP when she found herself unable to pass urine.
She added: « I was in so much pain that it was actually worse than childbirth. I’ve never experienced anything like it, I was beside myself in absolute agony. »
The mum-of-one has since undergone surgery to have a stoma bag fitted, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Jasmin says her daughter struggled with watching her mum’s illness (Image: Jasmin Gobel / SWNS)
She also had a pelvic exenteration — removing the cervix, womb and ovaries, part of her vagina, her lymph nodes and other organs in the pelvis.
Her margins are now clear but Jasmin fears that the cancer will return and she has suffered from “scanxiety”.
Jasmin has been supported by her partner Charlie Evatt, 48, and her 10-year-old daughter, who is the same age as Mel’s daughter.
She added: « My daughter is basically traumatised from the last year. The chemo was extremely aggressive and made me so ill. »
Urging others to get checked before their symptoms escalate, Jasmin said: « When you’re having symptoms, you’re already quite far down the road.
« And the symptoms can be so subtle or mimic other things — people don’t know what to look out for.
« The treatment is harsh and life-changing. You never expect to be thrown into such a serious situation when you’re not even 50. »
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