It’s a record-breaking achievement for this cancer survivor. Adele Roberts, the 44-year-old BBC Radio 1 DJ who was diagnosed with stage 2 bowel cancer in October 2021, ran the London Marathon and clocked the fastest time for a woman with an ileostomy, which is an opening in the abdomen to help remove waste from the body.
An ileostomy is a surgical procedure that creates an opening in the abdomen, according to the American Cancer Society. The intestines are brought to the opening to form a stoma, and a stoma bag (plastic container) is attached to collect waste from the intestines.
Roberts had the procedure to help go to the bathroom after battling bowel cancer and having a tumor removed. Running the London Marathon less than one year after completing chemotherapy for her cancer, the Guinness World Record organization said the British broadcaster “completed the fastest marathon with an ileostomy (female)” in three hours, 30 minutes, and 22 seconds.
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Roberts took to Instagram to share the news, captioning her post, “WE DID IT Audrey. Thank you to every single person who has helped make today possible. We’ve just set a #GuinnessWorldRecord for the fastest marathon with an ileostomy. … less than 12 months since I stopped chemotherapy.”
“Anything is possible,” the reality TV star continued, “For those warriors living with cancer, for all the incredible ostomates around the UK and for the heroes of the NHS. That was for you.”
Audrey is the name Roberts has given to her stoma bag, which she shared a photo of on her Instagram page just days before the big race.
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- What is a Colostomy?
“Come on little Audrey. We can do this. #RebelliousHope #WeRunTogether,” Roberts wrote alongside the photo, which showed her f**k cancer socks, Adele Audrey racing tank top, and a few packs of SIS Science in Sport Go Isotonic Energy Gel.
About two weeks before the race, Roberts announced she wouldn’t be racing “alone” as her “trust little friend Audrey the #stoma” would be with her.
“She’s essentially a part of my small intestine that’s currently hanging out of my stomach… which isn’t ideal but Audrey is the very reason I’m alive – she’s a LEGEND and I’m so grateful to have her,” she explained in another Instagram post.
“My body post-cancer is very different and it’s still recovering. Fuelling my body is an absolute mission. Anything I eat or drink will end up in my bag… One way or another, I’m literally going to have to carry my food and drink with me. It’s given a whole new meaning to the term ‘bum bag.’ It’s going to be a huge challenge but that’s why I’m doing this.”
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“Firstly I feel extremely lucky to be alive. You can’t control what happens to you in life but you ARE in charge of how you respond. Keep your spirit strong. Like the incredible Dame Deborah said: ‘Rebellious Hope,'” she added. “I hope I can represent those living with cancer & their families. All the incredible ostomates around the UK. You’re all made of tough stuff, always remember that… and I hope I can do you proud. Let’s show the world what we are capable of and what our bodies can do!”
The Guinness World Records also took to social media to share the news, tweeting, “Adele Roberts completed the fastest marathon with an ileostomy (female) in 3:30:22 Congratulations, Adele!”
Following her major accomplishment, Roberts jokingly told TV and radio presenter Gabby Logan on BBC, “I can retire now, that’s it, I’m done!”
“In training, I only went 21 miles so I didn’t know if I could finish it with the stoma. I’m over the moon,” Roberts said, according to The Telegraph.
Adele Roberts completed the fastest marathon with an ileostomy (female) in 3:30:22🙌
Congratulations, Adele! 😍 #LondonMarathon pic.twitter.com/SjsOhdscql— Guinness World Records (@GWR) April 23, 2023
She said, “We got the record. I was like, ‘oh my gosh did we actually do it.’ For ages, I didn’t know my time because my watch broke and I couldn’t tell because I set off quite late… so I was just really hoping that I’d managed to do it.”
“Thank you so much to everybody who was actually in the race, there were so many lovely people on the course and also everybody who came out to cheer even though it was raining,” Roberts continued. “We did it, up yours, cancer.”
Adele Roberts’ Bowel Cancer Diagnosis
Adele Roberts, who is best known for appearances on the U.K.’s “Big Brother” and “I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!” TV shows, was diagnosed with bowel cancer in October 2021. She learned she was battling the disease after visiting her doctor for persistent digestive issues.
RELATED: DJ Adele Roberts Rocks Her New Colostomy Bag With Pride: ‘I’ve Gained a New Little Friend’
Roberts ultimately underwent chemotherapy, finishing up her treatment less than 12 months ago, to make sure all the cancer was gone.
When Roberts announced her diagnosis on Instagram, she warned her fans, “PLEASE make sure you get checked out if you have ANY concerns. The sooner you’re able to see your GP or talk to someone the sooner you can get help. If I hadn’t I might not be so lucky. As I’ve learned over the last few weeks, there’s no ‘normal’ with cancer. Sadly it can affect anyone, at any age, anytime. It doesn’t discriminate. Early detection can save your life.”
In an earlier interview with “Good Morning Britain” on the warning sign that led to her diagnosis, Roberts, who has had her partner Kate Holderness by her side throughout her cancer battle, explained, “My digestion started to get a bit funny (and) after what we ate in the jungle I wasn’t surprised.”
(She spent time in the jungle on the British television show “I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!” On the show, a number of celebrities live together in a jungle environment.)
“I noticed when I went to the toilet things like mucus and then blood. I didn’t know whether to call the doctor because of Covid; I didn’t want to bother anyone,” she continued. “But it got so consistent that I thought I’d better call up just in case.”
Prior to getting diagnosed, Roberts said she was “pretty much” vegetarian and exercised, saying “I tried to keep fit and well and eat the right things.”
What Is Bowel Cancer?
Bowel cancer is a general term for cancer that starts in the large bowel, but we mostly use the term colorectal cancer, colon cancer, or rectal cancer depending on the location, in the United States.
Bowel cancer, like all cancers, presents its own unique challenges for patients on the road to recovery. However, Dr. Heather Yeo, a surgical oncologist and colorectal surgeon at New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center, wants previously spoke with SurvivorNet about how far the treatment of this disease has come.
“One of the most exciting things about my job is that we’ve made a lot of progress on treatment options,” Dr. Yeo said. “However, patients are still — while they’re living longer, they are still living with colon cancer, and so I think it’s really important that we talk about how some of the things in your life affect you.”
Living with Colorectal Cancer
Dr. Yeo also reminds people of the importance of colorectal screenings such as colonoscopies because most colorectal cancers can be prevented early with screening.
“In the United States, on a national level, colorectal cancer has been decreasing for the last 20 years,” Dr. Yeo explained. “And much of that is thought to be directly due to screening for colon cancer.”
What Is A Colostomy (Stoma)?
When considering colon cancer surgery, many patients will often hear the word “ostomy” during treatment. This refers to part of your intestines being hooked up through the front of your belly, where you’ll go to the bathroom through a bag that attaches to your skin.
Learning About Colostomy Bags
According to Dr. Daniel Labow, the Executive Vice Chair and Vice Chair of Quality at Mount Sinai Health System, this procedure is much less common now than it used to be. However, for patients who do need an ostomy, there are many resources and supplies available that make them very discreet. A plastic bag covers the ostomy so it doesn’t smell, and if it gets full, you can just go to the bathroom and empty it. You’ll get in a routine so it doesn’t feel like a big deal at all.
RELATED: The Type of Colon Surgery Depends on the Location of the Tumor
“Once you get over sort of the psychosocial effects, you can lead a totally normal life,” Dr. Labow told SurvivorNet in an earlier interview. “It’s not painful. It’s just getting used to a different way.”
Colostomy or Ileostomy?
When the large intestine (colon) is brought through this opening in the skin it’s called a colostomy. Whereas an ileostomy is when a part of the small intestine (ileum) is attached to the skin.
Choosing the Right Surgery for Your Colon Cancer While Avoiding Marketing Gimmicks
Your bowel movements are usually less solid than they used to be, and ileostomies tend to produce more watery/mushy content, compared to colostomies. You will probably have more bowel movements than you previously had, about 4 to 8 a day (but it’s not mandatory to empty the bag every time).
Colon Cancer Survivors Embracing Stoma Bags
Living with a stoma bag will of course take some adjusting, but cancer survivors have opened up to SurvivorNet about how they have embraced their stoma bags despite feeling apprehensive at first.
Francine Susco, who was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2016, previously spoke to SurvivorNet about adjusting to life with a stoma bag.
Coping With a Colostomy Bag After Colon Cancer Surgery
“I started to embrace her and rub her,” Susco said about her stoma bag. “And I used to talk to her when she wasn’t behaving when she was squirting too much. And I would say, come on baby girl, come on. We’ll try again. Let’s try again. And I’d clean her up and she’d behave…The fact that I was able to handle it, and dress with it, and cover it. I began to embrace it.”
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
Danielle Cinone is a writer at SurvivorNet. Read More
FAQs
Record-Breaking Achievement! Famous Radio Host Adele Roberts Runs Fastest London Marathon For Woman With Hole in Abdomen After Bowel Cancer? ›
BBC Radio 1's Adele Roberts, who underwent surgery for her bowel cancer just 18 months ago, has set a Guinness World Record for the fastest marathon with an ileostomy (female), with a time of 3:30:22.
Why does Adele Roberts have a stoma? ›The Radio 1 DJ Adele Roberts has become the fastest woman to complete the London Marathon with a stoma bag, clocking a time of 3hr 30min and 22sec. The 44-year-old, who began using a stoma bag in 2021 after surgery for bowel cancer, said “up yours, cancer” after her achievement.
What record did Adele Roberts break? ›Adele Roberts broke a Guinness World Record at this year's London Marathon. British radio presenter Adele Roberts became the fastest woman to complete the London Marathon with an ileostomy, running the distance in just over three and a half hours on Sunday.
Did Adele Roberts complete marathon? ›Broadcaster Adele Roberts has become the fastest woman to complete a marathon with a stoma bag. Adele finished the London marathon in 3hrs 30mins 22secs on Sunday.
What band was Adele Roberts in? ›She began her career on Big Brother 3 back in 2001, and scored her very first radio gig at Rock FM in Lancashire that same year. In 2006 she joined Galaxy - which has since become part of Capital FM - before moving to Radio 1Xtra in 2012.
Does Adele wear a stoma bag? ›Roberts started using a stoma bag in 2021 after surgery for bowel cancer, according to The Guardian. After her race she said, “Up yours, cancer.”
What is the life expectancy of a person with a colostomy? ›The studies revealed the average age of a person with a colostomy to be 70.6 years, an ileostomy 67.8 years, and a urostomy 66.6 years.
Did Adele lose her voice for a while? ›Adele has had problems with her vocal chords over the years. She underwent surgery after suffering a haemorrhage to her vocal cords in 2011.
Why does Adele Roberts wear black gloves? ›Halfway through the programme, the quartet welcomed Roberts to the studio to quiz her on the incredibly difficult six months she has faced. Adele was seen to be wearing gloves as she admitted that she has “layers of skin missing” from her hands and feet as a result of the chemo.
What is the marathon record for a stoma? ›BBC Radio 1's Adele Roberts, who underwent surgery for her bowel cancer just 18 months ago, has set a Guinness World Record for the fastest marathon with an ileostomy (female), with a time of 3:30:22.
How fast did Oprah run a marathon? ›
Oprah Winfrey- 4:29:20
Her 19 month journey inspired the masses thanks to a documentary film crew that accompanied her throughout her training. In those 19 months, Oprah Winfrey lost 72 pounds in order to reach her goal race weight of 150 pounds. Upon finishing she famously said: “It's the best feeling I've ever had.
In 1994, at the Marine Corps Marathon, Oprah Winfrey ran a 4:29:20 in her first and only marathon. Her finish time is roughly the average finish time of the Top 25 Marathons.
Why did Paula Radcliffe stop in the marathon? ›2004 Athens Olympics
Radcliffe did not compete in the London Marathon in 2004, but was the favourite to win a gold medal in the marathon at the Olympic Games in Athens. However, she suffered an injury to her leg just two weeks prior to the event and had to use a high dose of anti-inflammatory drugs.
The radio presenter has opened up about her body transformation. I'm a Celeb star Adele Roberts has revealed she lost two stone before entering the jungle after she "woke the f-ck up" and overhauled her life.
What treatment did Adele Roberts have? ›Adele underwent both surgery and chemotherapy as part of her treatment. After her rectum was removed, she was fitted with a stoma bag to collect her faeces, which she playfully named 'Audrey'.
Where is Adele's accent from? ›Adele is a famous British singer and who better to learn English with than her. She has a distinctive cockney accent at times and at other times she speaks with received pronunciation.
Can you make love with a colostomy bag? ›Physical contact during sex does not hurt the stoma. While you might need to change positions to make sure that the ostomy pouch isn't actively in the way, it should not harm your ostomy. If you do notice any changes to your stoma that cause alarm, or if you experience pain during sex, talk to your doctor.
Do you still pee with a colostomy bag? ›About Your Wet Colostomy
After your surgery, your urine (pee) and stool (poop) will leave your body through your wet colostomy stoma. Your stoma will have 2 parts (see Figure 1): A urinary diversion. Your urine will flow from your kidneys, through your ureters, and out of your body through your urinary diversion.
Adele Roberts had a stoma bag after she underwent surgery to remove a tumor. She named her stoma Audrey. “I'm recovering, and this little stoma bag helped save my life,” Adele wrote on her Instagram in October 2021. In June 2022, Adele announced she was now “cancer free.”
What happens when a stoma dies? ›It occurs when the blood supply to/ from the stoma is impaired or interrupted, resulting in partial or complete stoma tissue death. As blood flow and tissue perfusion are essential for stoma health, deficient blood flow to the stoma will lead to necrosis.
Can you eat what you want with a colostomy bag? ›
You can eat whatever you want if you have an ostomy
If you have a colostomy or ileostomy, you'll find that various foods affect your digestive tract differently. Just as some foods gave you gas before your surgery, you'll likely experience gas with certain foods now that you have an ostomy.
If you have regular and predictable bowel patterns, you may not always need to wear a colostomy bag. But as occasional leakages can happen, it's recommended that you wear a small stoma cap. Additional products that can make living with a colostomy more convenient include: support belts and girdles.
What makes Adele's voice so special? ›“She is a mezzo soprano and sings in her vocal sweet spots. A lot of singers can sing many notes, but never really learn what their sweet spot is.” And it is this singular skill that plays such a key role in Adele's ability to conduct our emotions.
What is Adele's medical condition? ›Sciatica, also known as lumbar radiculopathy, is a form of back and leg pain. The pain stems from the sciatic nerve, the body's largest nerve and the main nerve in the leg that extends from the back of the pelvis to the back of the thigh, just below the knee.
How did Adele lose her weight? ›Spoiler: There was no magic diet fad involved. She lost weight over the course of two years by consistently lifting weights and doing circuit training. “My body has been objectified my entire career,” she said in an interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021.
Does Adele the singer have a colostomy bag? ›Sharing snaps of herself showing off her colostomy bag, Adele penned: 'I had a meeting with my consultant and it looks like Audrey the #stoma is staying. 'She rides again! Well… she's staying for the time being. It's a long story but, essentially, it's not possible to give me a reversal of my stoma anytime soon.
Why does Adele take her shoes off? ›But it's been revealed she has slimmed down her stage wardrobe and ditched the heels in order to focus on the singing. Speaking to The Wall Street Journal, Adele's stylist Jamie Mizrahi revealed that she ditched the various looks to favour a single outfit every weekend.
Why do archivists not wear gloves? ›Gloves can catch on fragile or previously damaged edges. This is especially true if the paper is brittle. If they do catch, this can cause tears or flaking of the pages. Gloves get dirty.
How do you run with a stoma? ›- When to start running or jogging after your stoma surgery. ...
- Wear the right running gear. ...
- Ensure your stoma bag feels comfortable and is secure. ...
- Invest in hernia prevention support. ...
- Staying hydrated whilst running. ...
- Take a spare stoma supply kit.
Sometimes the race-day runs just happen. In that case, runners recommend noting ahead of time where the portable toilets will be on the route and tucking some toilet paper or baby wipes in your pocket or fanny pack. Drinking cool liquids and slowing down can help settle an upset stomach too.
What is an ileostomy surgery? ›
An ileostomy is a surgery that connects the lowest part of your small intestine to the outside of your body. Your doctor does this by creating an opening called a stoma. The lowest part of your small intestine is called the ileum.
How fast did George Bush run a marathon? ›George W. Bush ran in the Houston Marathon at age 46 in 1993, finishing with the time of 3 hours, 44 minutes, 52 seconds.
How long did Oprah run? ›Oprah Gail Winfrey (/ˈoʊprə/; born Orpah Gail Winfrey; January 29, 1954) is an American talk show host, television producer, actress, author, and media proprietor. She is best known for her talk show, The Oprah Winfrey Show, broadcast from Chicago, which ran in national syndication for 25 years, from 1986 to 2011.
How fast would Usain Bolt run a marathon? ›| Distance | Finish time | World Record |
|---|---|---|
| 10000m | 15:58.00 | 26:11 |
| 10k road | 15:58.00 | 26:24 |
| 1/2 marathon | 33:41 | 57:31 |
| Marathon | 1:07:22 | 2:01:09 |
Just that Usain Bolt does not run marathons.
He could train for it but doesn't mean he could sustain the 100-meter performance in a 26.2-mile marathon.
Final episodes. The final episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show aired on Wednesday, May 25, 2011. It was preceded by a two-part farewell special recorded at the United Center in Chicago in front of an audience of 13,000.
Is Oprah a runner? ›In 1994, Oprah Winfrey ran her first marathon and inspired the world who watched thanks to the television crews documenting her run. Here are some facts about her first time running 26.2 that may surprise you.
Are there toilets on London Marathon? ›Don't Be Afraid To Use The Toilet During The Race
Just go to the toilet—they're found every two miles on the course.
Are There Toilets On A Marathon? There generally are designated toilets on marathons that have a set track. However, it's less likely that marathons that take place on locations such as trails have a toilet as often as needed.
Why is Ashton Kutcher running a marathon? ›Three years after losing his ability to walk, Ashton Kutcher ran the New York City marathon to help him let his illness be "part of the past," the actor said.
How much was Adele weight? ›
Adele weight loss secrets revealed
Adele's new album “30” was released last month and the whole world has become obsessed not only with her music but also with her transformative weight loss. Adele lost 100 lbs in the past two years without surgery. Her height is 5'9'' (175 cm) and her 2021 weight is 139 lbs (63 kg).
I didn't realise I could get cancer which I know sounds silly because I know now it can happen to anyone at any age. I'm vegetarian. I'm healthy.
What was Adele's diet to lose weight? ›Some of the staples that the diet highlight include many different produce items, including kale, strawberries, onions, parsley, arugula, blueberries, and capers. Some grains, like buckwheat, and walnuts are praised, as are spices like turmeric.
Did Adele Roberts have chemo? ›Adele Roberts was having chemotherapy during Celebrity Bake Off and can hardly remember filming | The Independent.
What symptoms did Adele Roberts have? ›pain or lump in tummy (13%) weight loss (11%) tiredness/fatigue (3%)
What vocal cord surgery did Adele have? ›“I had laser surgery. [They] put lasers down your throat, cut off the polyp, and kind of laser your hemorrhage back together and fix it,” Adele said at the time.
Why does Adele sound black? ›So decades before Adele entered the musical scene, the stage was set to frame particular sounds as black. Specifically, Adele's sound draws from vocal characteristics of historical black singers like Ethel Waters and Josephine Baker who were known for performing songs slightly higher than their natural voice range.
What singers sound like Adele? ›- Alicia Keys.
- Dido.
- Jennifer Hudson.
- Jessie Ware.
- Joss Stone.
- Kelly Clarkson.
- Lana Del Rey.
- Macy Gray.
She grew up in Tottenham, Northern London so beside having a British accent, peculiarly she has a Cockney accent. Cockney accent is a sub group in British accents.
What causes someone to have a stoma? ›Stomas are needed for a variety of reasons, including: trauma to the abdomen (for example, caused by a car accident or other major injury) surgery to remove bowel cancer or other cancers in your pelvic area. diseases such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.
What stars have a colostomy bag? ›
- Ann Sothern. Smith Collection/Gado / @Getty. ...
- Fred Astaire. Pictorial Parade / @Getty. ...
- Letitia Baldrige. Michael Brennan / @Getty. ...
- Mary Ann Mobley. Harry Langdon / @Getty. ...
- Loretta Young. ...
- Adele Roberts. ...
- Babe Didrikson Zaharias. ...
- Barbara Barrie.
At 2-years, 76 (34.9%) patients had died with stoma, 42 (19.3%) were alive with stoma, and 100 (45.9%) had undergone stoma reversal. The survival of patients with and without reversal were 100% and 42.7% at 1-year, 96.0% and 35.0% at 2-years and 88.9% and 20.7% at 5-years, respectively.
Can you go on rides with a stoma bag? ›You just need to keep your stoma bag pretty flat by regularly emptying as you make your way around the theme park, in order to make it as comfortable as possible when the security bar for each ride is pulled across your tummy.
What did Adele have in her throat? ›Grammy Award winner and platinum vocal artist Adele underwent vocal cord surgery in October 2011 to alleviate recurrent hemorrhaging caused by a benign polyp on her vocal cord.
Do people with a stoma still pee? ›Some people have a permanent colostomy or ileostomy. When you have a stoma, you need to wear a bag to collect your poo or urine.
Do stoma bags smell? ›Many ostomates worry about odour. If the stoma bag fits well there should be no smell except when changing it. If you do notice a smell from your bag, you should check it as there may be a leak under the flange and the bag will need changing.
Do you feel the urge to poop with a stoma? ›After a stoma, the bottom part of the bowel no longer has poo passing through it, but it still produces mucus. Dead cells from the lower bowel or rectum may be mixed in with the mucus. The mucus may leak out of the anus, or you may feel the urge to go to the toilet.
Do any famous people have an ostomy? ›Famous People With Stomas
Dwight David Eisenhower, the 34th president of the United States, had a colostomy to treat a small bowel obstruction in 1956 while acting as president. Tip O'Neill (Thomas P. O'Neill Junior) was an American politician and speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives between 1977 and 1987.
In the book Shawcross writes: 'Rumours subsequently spread that she had had a colostomy. This was not true. 'But the rumours that the operation had included a colostomy persisted.
What super model has a colostomy bag? ›Jearlean Taylor, a 51-year-old Baltimore model, said she has been embarrassed about her colostomy and urstomy bags since she was a child.
What is the biggest patient problem for a colostomy? ›
Issues or problems with the skin around the stoma is probably the most common complication for ostomates. Not only is having sore skin extremely uncomfortable for the patient but it can also compromise the attachment of the bag to the skin causing leaks and leading to further skin damage.
What is the difference between a stoma and a colostomy bag? ›A colostomy is an operation to create an opening (stoma) of the large bowel (colon) onto the surface of the tummy (abdomen). Your poo no longer passes out of your body through your back passage. Instead, it passes out through the stoma. You wear a bag that sticks onto the skin over the stoma to collect your poo.
Which male model has a colostomy? ›A model and campaigner claims he was left humiliated when his colostomy bag leaked and staff at a conference centre refused to let him use the toilet. Bodybuilder Blake Beckford, 36, has ulcerative colitis and three years ago was fitted with a stoma bag on the outside of his body to collect his body waste.