Following her diagnosis with bowel cancer in 2016, Dame Deborah James AKA Bowelbabe, worked tirelessly to raise awareness of the disease, hosting podcasts, writing books and fronting campaigns all with the aim to get people talking about bowel cancer.
MORE:Bowel Babe campaigner Deborah James dies aged 40 after 'touching the nation' amid cancer battle
Since beginning her fundraising efforts, Deborah has raised more than £6.6m for Cancer Research UK, Bowel Cancer UK and the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity through her Bowelbabe fund on Just Giving.
WATCH: Look back at Bowelbabe Deborah James' supermarket workout
More than that, she has raised awareness of the symptoms of bowel cancer, speaking regularly on Lorraine as the driving force behind the show's #NoButts bowel cancer campaign.
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Deborah stressed that early diagnoses of cancer can save lives, and implored Lorraine viewers to contact their doctor if they saw:
Blood in their stools or from their bottom
Obvious changes in their bowel habits
Weight loss they can't explain
Extreme tiredness for no apparent reason
Lump and/or pain in the tummy.
© Photo: InstagramPrince William awarded Deborah James with her damehood
Deborah also regularly stressed on the show: "Don’t be embarrassed to check your poo."
READ: Deborah James overcome with emotion after receiving new honour amid cancer struggle
Over the last few weeks, Deborah has been trying to attend as many of the events she loves as possible, including Royal Ascot where she spoke with Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford.
© Photo: InstagramDame Deborah pictured at Royal Ascot
Following one such occasion, Deborah wrote on Instagram: "Be under no illusion! I’m knackered! I've worked out it takes me longer to get ready and organised to go than the time I actually last anywhere!! Getting dressed is tiring, getting meds organised is tiring, the extra moving, the travel, the wondering what mood your stomach is in - it's all real!
"But then the feeling of making it to something you didn't think possible, having put make-up on, donning new shoes (that finally arrived in the right size for massively swollen feet!), with the sunshine smiling - well then it's all worth it! It's a kind of cheeky 'still living whilst dying' two fingers up to it all!!"
To support Deborah's fundraising efforts, visit her Bowelbabe Fund, or pre-order her book - £3 from each sale goes towards her charity.
How to Live When You Could Be Dead by Deborah James, £11.99, Amazon
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