…By Larry John for TDPel Media.
Dean Gaffney, the former EastEnders actor, revealed that he underwent emergency surgery after medical checks during his participation in the reality show “I’m A Celebrity” detected potential signs of bowel cancer.
Dean expressed gratitude for being alive and credited the show’s medical crew for saving his life.
Life-saving Intervention by the Medical Team:
In an interview with the Mirror, Dean acknowledged that the medical team associated with “I’m A Celebrity” played a crucial role in saving his life.
He emphasized the importance of their discovery, stating that if it weren’t for them, he might not be alive today.
Discovery and Immediate Surgery:
During Dean’s appearance on the show in Wales in 2020, doctors discovered the issue and swiftly performed the necessary operation.
Reflecting on the promptness of the medical intervention, Dean shared his experience of being admitted to the hospital, undergoing general anesthesia, and having the problem removed within hours.
The doctor informed him that had he not sought medical attention at that time, the condition could have progressed to bowel cancer within three years.
Dean expressed immense gratitude for his fortunate circumstances.
Raising Awareness:
Following his personal encounter with potential bowel cancer, Dean is now urging individuals who are concerned about signs of the disease to seek medical evaluation.
He expressed a desire to raise awareness similar to the efforts of the late Bowelbabe fundraiser Dame Deborah James, who passed away in June of the previous year at the age of 40.
Dean Gaffney’s Background and Journey:
Dean Gaffney gained recognition for his role as Robbie Jackson in the popular television series EastEnders, appearing intermittently from 1993 to 2019.
In 2020, he was on standby as one of twelve stars ready to replace any campmate at Gwrych Castle in Wales who contracted Covid-19.
Early Detection and the Severity of the Situation:
Dean shared the timeline of events leading up to the diagnosis, revealing that routine blood tests conducted during the show’s medical examination raised concerns about blood loss.
Despite his initial dismissal of the symptoms as possibly related to anemia or iron deficiency, further investigations were conducted, including a capsule endoscopy and a colonoscopy.
The results showed the presence of massive polyps, with one measuring 20mm.
Subsequently, Dean underwent surgery under general anesthesia to remove the polyps.
The Impact of the Diagnosis:
Upon waking from the procedure, Dean realized the gravity of the situation as the doctors displayed their concern and emphasized the fortuitousness of the discovery.
He was stunned by the severity of the condition and acknowledged the life-saving nature of the intervention.
Signs and Symptoms of Bowel Cancer:
To raise awareness, Dean shared common symptoms of bowel cancer as provided by the NHS.
These include changes in bowel habits, blood in the stool, persistent abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, and persistent fatigue.
He advised individuals experiencing these symptoms to seek urgent medical attention from their GP or contact NHS 111.
Conclusion:
Dean Gaffney’s experience with potential bowel cancer serves as a reminder of the importance of regular health check-ups and the need for timely medical intervention.
He expressed gratitude to the medical team of “I’m A Celebrity” for their role in saving his life and now aims to raise awareness about the disease, inspired by the efforts of Bowelbabe fundraiser Dame Deborah James.