Mel Schilling’s devastating death at just 54 years old has sparked a timely warning to Aussies not to dismiss changes in their bodies.
The Married At First Sight expert passed away after a years-long cancer battle that was initially found in her colon in 2023.
She said before she received her official diagnosis, she hadn’t been to the toilet in three weeks and thought she just had to tough it out.
But gastroenterologist, Professor Viraj Kariyawasam, told Yahoo Lifestyle Aussies needed to listen to their bodies.
“If you have any symptoms that persist for more than four to six weeks, you should see your GP,” he said.
“If you’re bleeding profusely or losing weight within a few weeks, you shouldn’t wait — go to the doctor.”
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Colon cancer, also called colorectal or bowel cancer, is the fifth most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia.
According to Cancer Australia, an estimated 14,784 cases were diagnosed in 2025 alone.
It’s also the second most common cause of death from cancer in 2025.
Symptoms that doctors say should not be ignored include:
Changes in bowel habits, including persistent diarrhoea or constipation
Blood in the stool, often mistaken for haemorrhoids
Ongoing abdominal pain or bloating
Unexplained fatigue or iron deficiency
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Mel Schilling thought she needed to push through early warning signs
Mel told UK talkshow host Lorraine Kelly last year that she tried to push through the early warning signs of her cancer.
In between filming Married At First Sight, looking after her family, travelling, and “living her best life”, she said those symptoms didn’t raise any alarm bells.
“I wasn’t listening to my body,” she said.
“But all of these symptoms were happening… and I wasn’t paying attention.
“There was pain, there was constipation. I hadn’t been to the toilet for three weeks by the time it became acute, and I somehow managed to ignore that.”
She explained that many women learn to ignore health issues because they’re “busy” or they “don’t have time” to deal with it.
“If we have symptoms in the abdominal region, generally, we say, ‘I’ve got to toughen up,'” she said.
“[It’s] something to do with my cycle, or it’s a hormonal issue.
“We’ve grown up knowing that every month we have pain, and we just have to get on with it. So we have that tendency to grin and bear it.”
She also said it can sometimes be tough getting answers from doctors, who can blame the issues on “hormones”, their “monthly cycle”, or that it’s “pre-menopause” or “post menopause”.
Aussies warned of symptoms not to dismiss for bowel cancer
Professor Kariyawasam told Yahoo Lifestyle he has seen many patients who have convinced themselves their symptoms aren’t that serious.
The Doctify expert said symptoms can also be missed by a person’s GP because they’re not in that “typical” age period.
Colorectal cancer is typically thought of as an old person’s disease, with the average age of diagnosis being 68 for men and 69 for women, according to Bowel Cancer Australia.
But there has been a huge surge of people 30-39 getting diagnosed with the disease, and it can affect adults of all ages.
Professor Kariyawasam said not acting on those early warning signs can be devastating.
Professor Viraj Kariyawasam said the rates of bowel cancer in people 30 to 39 have jumped up massively. Source: Viraj Kariyawasam/Supplied
“They come back with ongoing symptoms for nearly one year or more, and they’ve got a cancer that cannot be cured,” he said.
“For most of those patients, it’s more than the trauma of the diagnosis, as they have a huge guilt trauma and an angry trauma of not doing something for 12 months to 18 months.”
Australia’s National Bowel Cancer Screening Program provides free tests every two years once people turn 45.
The eligibility age was lowered from 50 to 45 in 2024.
For people 50 and over, incidents of bowel cancer have been decreasing, which experts believe could be partly due to the program.
What happened to Mel Schilling?
The MAFS expert was diagnosed with colon cancer in December 2023.
She underwent surgery to remove a tumour, which she nicknamed ‘Terry’, and eventually was given the all clear.
But last month she revealed she would be stepping down from her role on the Channel 9 show to focus on her health. A few weeks later, Mel explained to her followers why.
Mel Schilling’s family and colleagues have described her as incredible guiding force. Source: Instagram/Mel Schilling
“Unfortunately, in late February 2024 during a routine scan, small nodules were discovered in my lungs,” she said.
“The cancer had metastasised and my world changed again in an instant.
“Over the past two years, while filming MAFS, I underwent 16 rounds of chemotherapy and was later told I was eligible for a groundbreaking clinical trial specific to my gene type, due to start in March 2026.”
But over Christmas last year, she started experiencing “blinding headaches” and “numbness” down her right side.
After several tests, she was told the cancer had spread to the left side of her brain.
“Despite subsequent radiotherapy sessions, my oncology team have now told me there is nothing further they can do,” she said.
“I honestly don’t know how long I have left, but I do know I will fight to my last breath and will be surrounded by the love and support of my people.”
That was revealed on March 13, and her husband, Gareth, heartbreakingly revealed on March 24 that his wife had died.
“In her final moments, when I thought cancer had taken away her ability to speak, she ushered me closer and whispered a message for Maddie and me that will sustain me for the rest of my life,” he said.
“It took all of her remaining strength, and that gesture summed up our wee Melsie perfectly. Even then, her only thought was for Maddie and me.
“To most of you, she was Mel Schilling — matriarch of MAFS and queen of reality TV.
“To Maddie and me, she was our wee Melsie: an incredible mum, role model, and soulmate.
“Life can be beautiful, and life can be incredibly cruel.
“But ultimately, life is fleeting, fragile, and tomorrow is promised to no one. If you can do anything to honour Mel, please live life to the full, love your people well, and try not to sweat the small stuff.
“I had 15 wonderful years with my soulmate, and it was the privilege of my life to be by her side. For that, I will be forever thankful.
“Goodbye, my love. My one. Until we meet again.”
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