Following the loss of Married at First Sight expert Mel Schilling, many people have been reminded how important it is to pay attention to subtle changes in health. Mel first shared her colon cancer diagnosis in December 2023, and her family announced on March 24, 2026, that she had died at age 54 after the illness later spread to her brain. In speaking publicly about bowel cancer, doctors have emphasized that one commonly overlooked warning sign is a lasting change in bowel habits. That can mean going to the toilet more often or less often than usual, or noticing ongoing constipation, diarrhoea, or softer stools that are not normal for you. Because these changes can seem minor at first, many people may assume they are linked to diet, stress, or a temporary stomach issue. But health experts stress that it is the persistence of symptoms, rather than a one-off change, that matters most.

According to the NHS, other symptoms of bowel cancer can include blood in the stool, bleeding from the bottom, tummy pain, bloating, unexplained weight loss, feeling as though you still need to go after using the toilet, and unusual tiredness or shortness of breath, which may be linked to anaemia. The NHS advises seeing a GP if symptoms last for 3 weeks or more, noting that these signs are often caused by less serious conditions, but should still be checked. Early diagnosis can make treatment more effective, which is why ongoing changes should never be ignored. Mel herself had urged people to seek medical advice if something did not feel right, and that message remains an important one for everyone.