A CANCER research lab has been named after Dame Deborah James today in honour of her tireless campaigning.
The BowelBabe Laboratory at the Francis Crick Institute in central London is run by Cancer Research UK.
Sun columnist Debs set up the BowelBabe fund to raise awareness of bowel cancer after being diagnosed when she was 35.
She died aged 40 in June 2022 but her fund has so far raised £17million.
It will help to pay scientists at the lab to conduct cutting-edge research on improving diagnosis and treatment of bowel cancer.
Bowel cancer is one of the most common forms of the disease in Britain and kills around 17,000 people per year – second only to lung cancer.
Deborah’s mum Heather said: “We are absolutely thrilled that a lab will be named in Deborah’s honour.
“I will always miss her, obviously, but I think the legacy that she has left behind is for us to keep going.
“That will be what I want to do and all of us as a family are so pleased to see what the BowelBabe fund can achieve.”
Health Secretary Wes Streeting toured the lab with Debs’ family and said: “Dame Deborah James was a true force of nature who has left an extraordinary legacy.
“It is an absolute privilege to see the vital work she championed so passionately.
“The Sun has been brilliant in advocating for Dame Deborah, helping amplify her voice and raising awareness to its millions of readers of how such a cruel disease stole such a beautiful life so young.”
The Government also announced it will contribute £2.4million to a clinical trial of an artificial intelligence (AI) powered blood test to detect cancer and pinpoint its location in the body.
Mr Streeting added: “These are the sorts of breakthroughs that are going to make a real difference to people’s chance of survival and may mean that, in the future, families like Deborah’s do not have to cope with the unimaginable grief and loss that they have been through and so many other families go through.”
Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, said: “Bowel cancer is the second biggest cause of cancer deaths in the UK.
“Cutting-edge research is being carried out in the name of the inspirational Dame Deborah James.
“She touched the lives of so many and her legacy is supporting people affected by bowel cancer across the country.”
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[boxout headline=”The signs of bowel cancer you need to know”]1. B: Bleeding
There are several possible causes of bleeding from your bottom, of blood in your poo.
Bright red blood could come from swollen blood vessels, haemorrhoids or piles, in your back passage.
Dark red or black blood could come from your bowel or stomach.
Blood in your stools is one of the key signs of bowel cancer, so it’s important to mention it to your doctor so they can investigate.
2. O: Obvious change in loo habits
It’s important to tell your GP if you have noticed any changes in your bowel habits, that lasts three weeks or longer.
It’s especially important if you have also noticed signs of blood in your poo.
You might notice you need to go to the loo more often, you might have looser stools or feel like you’re not going enough or fully emptying your bowels.
Don’t be embarrassed, your GP will have heard a lot worse! Speak up and get it checked.
3. W: Weight loss
This is less common than the other symptoms, but an important one to be aware of. If you’ve lost weight and don’t really know why, it’s worth mentioning to your GP.
You may not feel like eating, feel sick, bloated and not hungry.
4. E: Extreme tiredness
Bowel cancer that causes bleeding can cause a lack of iron in the body – anaemia. If you develop anaemia you’re likely to feel tired and your skin might look pale.
5. L: Lump or pain
As with lots of other forms of cancer, a lump or pain can be a sign of bowel cancer.
It’s most likely you’ll notice a pain or lump in your stomach or back passage.
See your GP if it doesn’t go away, or if it affects how you eat or sleep