The warning signs of colon cancer as MAFS expert Mel Schilling is hit with heartbreaking diagnosis just before Christmas

Relationship expert Mel Schilling of Married At First Sight announced her shock colon cancer diagnosis on Wednesday.

The psychologist and dating coach, 51, shared the heartbreaking news in an Instagram post early Wednesday morning, explaining that she was diagnosed just a month after she started feeling pain in her stomach.

Talitha Akamarmoi, a nurse from the NSW Central Coast, who also suffered from colorectal problems cancerrecently shared the subtle “warning signs” she experienced.

Akamarmoi was diagnosed with stage three colorectal cancer at the age of 29 and shared the two subtle 'warning signs' she experienced that all young people should know.

She said she experienced symptoms of chronic fatigue and iron deficiency for about six months prior to the diagnosis.

After needing three iron transfusions, she eventually underwent a colonoscopy, which found a “long” tumor in her colon that was causing the problems.

Other common symptoms of cancer include a change in bowel habits, rectal bleeding, anal or rectal pain, lumps, unexpected weight loss, fatigue and anemia.

Talitha's biggest piece of advice to all young people is to be an advocate for your health, because bowel and colon cancer is not just a “geriatric disease.”

“I was completely shocked when I found out, I burst into tears and I didn't want to believe it,” the 29-year-old told FEMAIL.

Talitha underwent laparoscopic surgery on December 2 last year to remove her entire right half of the colon and surrounding lymph nodes, after which she had to wait another week for pathology results.

Unfortunately, the cancer had spread to four lymph nodes, requiring chemotherapy.

“It was so scary to know I needed chemotherapy because it was such a strange thing and I didn't know what to expect,” Talitha said, starting treatment for six months in January 2022.

One of the hardest parts of the whole ordeal was telling her children that she was sick.

Talitha Akamarmoi, from the NSW Central Coast, experienced symptoms of chronic fatigue and iron deficiency for approximately six months prior to diagnosis

Married At First Sight expert Schilling, who appears on the British and Australian versions of the show, shared the heartbreaking news she had been diagnosed with colon cancer on Wednesday morning.

She posted a photo of herself hugging her husband Gareth Brisbane, 51, and their daughter Madison, eight, alongside the caption: “You have cancer.” Three little words that everyone fears, but no one ever expects to hear.

'Last Thursday my consultant told me those three words.

'About a month ago, while I was filming in Australia, I started having severe stomach cramps on set. “I put it down to all the traveling I did and the disruption it caused in my system,” she explained.

Other common symptoms of the cancer include a change in bowel habits, rectal bleeding, anal or rectal pain, lumps, unexpected weight loss, fatigue, and anemia.

'I saw my GP in Sydney and he put it down to constipation, gave me some laxatives and sent me away.'

Despite her doctor's initial assessment, Schilling said she knew her condition was more serious and booked herself a scan when she traveled to Britain.

“On Thursday I was diagnosed with colon cancer and in an instant my entire life changed,” she wrote.

Schilling confirmed that she will go to the hospital tomorrow to remove a 5 cm tumor in her colon that, if the tumor had gone unnoticed much longer, would have killed her.

She spends Christmas Day in the hospital receiving treatment.

Despite her heartbreaking situation, Schilling says she feels “incredibly blessed” that her cancer is “relatively easy to eradicate.”

Married At First Sight expert Mel, who appears on the British and Australian versions of the show, revealed she has been diagnosed with bowel cancer. She is pictured with her husband Gareth Brisbane and daughter Madison