World-renowned hairdresser Trevor Sorbie has shared the devastating news that he ‘might not make it to Christmas’ after being diagnosed with cancer.
The 75-year-old, famed for his award-winning work, disclosed to This Morning viewers on Wednesday (October 9) that doctors informed him in June he had terminal bowel cancer.
Sorbie, who has styled the hair of ITV’s Lorraine Kelly, Robbie Williams, Helen Mirren, Bryan Ferry, Grace Jones and The Beach Boys, is celebrated as the inventor of the wedge haircut and was honoured with an MBE in 2004.
Speaking to presenters Cat Deely and Ben Shepard, he revealed that doctors gave him a six-month prognosis, implying he may not live to see the New Year.
He said: “One night, I lost a significant amount of blood and felt quite unsettled, so I decided to go to the hospital.”
Sorbie was forced to call time on his 50-year career following the diagnosis. He says he’s been given just weeks left to live, after doctors informed him that the cancer has spread to his liver.
He continued: “But the thing is with me, I never wake up thinking, ‘Oh poor me, I’ve got cancer’, or feel sorry for myself. I know I’ve got it here [points to stomach], but I haven’t got it here [point to head], and I’ve been going to work two days a week, up until two weeks ago.”
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Recognising cancer in its early stages is vital for enhancing survival chances. Statistics show that one in two people will confront cancer at some point in their lives, making it crucial to understand the key stages of the disease, reports Gloucestershire Live.
Each stage of cancer and its severity:
Understanding the stages of cancer is crucial to comprehending its severity, potential treatments, and survival rates. The NHS has detailed the main stages of the disease and their associated survival rates.
Stage 0 refers to cancer that remains within the original layer of cells where it began, without spreading to nearby tissues. It’s classified as non-invasive, meaning it hasn’t infiltrated other tissues and is generally highly treatable with a good survival rate.
Stage 1 is an early stage of cancer where the tumour is still small and likely hasn’t spread beyond its initial location. However, it has penetrated surrounding tissues more deeply than Stage 0.
Treatment is usually very effective at this stage, and the prognosis is typically positive. Considering all types of cancer, the overall survival rate is over 80%. For some cancers at this stage, treatment options are highly effective, with many achieving nearly a 100% survival rate.
Stages 2 and 3 indicate that the cancer has grown more significantly or begun to spread. The cancer is larger at this point and may have reached nearby lymph nodes or tissues, but it hasn’t spread to distant parts of the body yet.
Consequently, treatment options become more complex and could involve a combination of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.
Survival rates at these stages can vary greatly depending on the type of cancer, with some boasting survival rates close to 90%, while others may plummet as low as 60%.
Stage 4 represents the final and most severe stage of cancer, indicating that the disease has spread to distant organs or other parts of the body.
Often referred to as metastatic cancer, treatment at this point is intense in an attempt to prevent the cancer from reaching a terminal stage. Although Stage 4 cancer isn’t necessarily a death sentence, it can be incredibly difficult to eradicate entirely.
Trevor Sorbie shared details of his bowel cancer diagnosis on This Morning (Image: Getty)
This underlines the crucial importance of early detection, which can help avoid reaching this advanced stage. The five-year survival rates for Stage 4 cancer differ significantly, with breast cancer at around 31% and stomach cancer at a mere 6.6%.
What is bowel cancer?
Bowel cancer occurs when cells divide and grow in an unregulated manner. Most bowel cancers originate from polyps, benign growths that have the potential to become cancerous.
Not every polyp develops into cancer. If your doctor finds any polyps, they can remove them to reduce the chances of developing bowel cancer. Cancer cells might remain in the bowel or could potentially spread to other areas, like the liver or lungs.
Bowel cancer is a disease that can affect anyone, irrespective of age, gender, ethnicity or geographical location. If you notice any symptoms, it’s worth discussing the possibility of an at-home test with your GP.
Bowel screening is a crucial tool in early detection of bowel cancer, often before symptoms even manifest, making treatment more effective. If you’re eligible for screening and registered with a GP, you’ll receive a screening kit through the post.
However, if you’re already experiencing symptoms, don’t wait for the screening test – contact your GP to discuss an at-home test. Symptoms of bowel cancer can include:
- bleeding from your bottom
- blood in your poo
- losing weight but you’re not sure why
- feeling very tired all the time but you’re not sure why
- a pain or lump in your tummy
- a change in your pooing habits. You might be going more or less often, or have diarrhoea or constipation that might come and go
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While these symptoms don’t necessarily indicate bowel cancer, it’s important to investigate their cause.
How common is bowel cancer?
According to Bowel Cancer UK, bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK, with almost 44,000 people diagnosed each year.
The vast majority of these cases, around 94%, are in individuals aged 50 and over. However, it’s crucial to remember that bowel cancer can affect people of all ages, with over 2,600 new cases diagnosed annually in those under 50.
Over their lifetime, 1 in 17 men and 1 in 20 women will be diagnosed with bowel cancer.
Bowel cancer is both treatable and curable, particularly when detected early. Almost everyone diagnosed at the initial stage survives this type of cancer, but survival rates decline significantly as the disease progresses.
Early detection is key to saving lives. In the UK, over 16,800 individuals succumb to bowel cancer each year.
However, the mortality rate has been on a downward trend since the 1970s, thanks to earlier diagnoses, improved treatment options, and the implementation of the national bowel cancer screening programme. While bowel cancer is most common in those over 50, it can also affect younger individuals.
If you experience any symptoms, regardless of your age, it’s crucial to consult your GP about an at-home test.