brave star
Celebrity hairdresser Trevor Sorbie, 75, reveals terminal bowel cancer saying he ‘might not make it to Christmas’
Trevor was supported by his wife Carole as he opened up to This Morning viewers today
CELEBRITY hairdresser Trevor Sorbie MBE has bravely announced he has terminal bowel cancer and that he 'might not make it to Christmas'.
The 75-year-old shared his heartbreaking news on This Morning today, joined by his wife Carole in the studio.
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Trevor, who found out about his devastating diagnosis in June, revealed to hosts Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard that he had been given six months to live.
The businessman said, "I lost a lot of blood one night and was unusually disturbed about that. I went to the hospital, and they told me I had bowel cancer."
Trevor shared the emotional turmoil that followed the diagnosis, including a panic attack that left him and Carole speechless.
He explained, "I had a little panic attack and Carole and I looked at each other and we were just both speechless walking down the road… I didn’t know what to say."
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Despite the initial shock, Trevor found temporary relief in a gin and tonic, confessing, "I went and had a big gin and tonic and that helped!"
However, his challenges were far from over as the cancer soon spread to his liver.
He said, "I had a six-hour operation, but it came back to my liver, had another operation, and now the major [growth] they won't cut it out because it’s too close to a major blood vessel."
Despite the severity of his condition, Trevor's resolve remains unshaken.
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He remarked, "The thing is with me, I never wake up thinking, ‘Oh poor me, I’ve got cancer,’ or feel sorry for myself."
Pointing to his stomach, Trevor continued: "I know I've got it here but I haven’t got it here," and to his head, adding, "I’ve been going to work two days a week, up until two weeks ago.
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"I go there because that’s my medicine, that is my life. Sixty years I’ve worked passionately to achieve beyond my wildest dreams and when I go in, it's my staff. I've had them for up to 30 years, they are like family, I’m just one of the team."
Carole then spoke about the strength she draws from Trevor.
She said, "It’s totally overwhelming most days, but I get my strength through this man - he’s guiding me through a good death - living a good life and dying a good death.
"And up until then I hadn’t thought about that, but what we do every day now is show thanks for every day that we have and wake up together and it’s all the simple things.
"Our little dog is pure medicine, we have a wonderful family, and we are supported by the whole Trevor Sorbie family… and we are all being guided by Trevor.”
She added, “I did struggle and was crying a lot but Trevor and my son encouraged me to go to counselling and I’ve actually started bereavement counselling, which I didn’t know you could do before.
"They are going to guide me through and holding my hand and up until two years, or however long it takes after the event, so I do feel very supported and feel lucky I have that support… but more so from Trevor than anyone because he’s incredible.”
Looking back on his incredible career, Trevor smiled and revealed how he didn’t plan to be a hairdresser originally.
He said, “I wanted to be an artist! But I got bullied at school and my dad was a barber, and he said come into the salon… and I found hairdressing easy! I was cutting people’s hair within three months, so I was still quite creative.”
As a final piece of advice for viewers watching, Trevor said, “The brain rules the body - the heart plays a big part as well - but that [the brain] is the engine room and, because I’ve got a charity and have helped many women through cancer by cutting wigs for them and doing that, people handle it in different ways, there is no right or wrong way.
What are the red flag warning signs of bowel cancer?
IT'S the fourth most common cancer in the UK, the second deadliest - yet bowel cancer can be cured, if you catch it early enough.
While screening is one way of ensuring early diagnosis, there are things everyone can do to reduce their risk of the deadly disease.
Being aware of the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer, spotting any changes and checking with your GP can prove a life-saver.
If you notice any of the signs, don't be embarrassed and don't ignore them. Doctors are used to seeing lots of patients with bowel problems.
The five red-flag symptoms of bowel cancer include:
- Bleeding from the back passage, or blood in your poo
- A change in your normal toilet habits - going more frequently for example
- Pain or a lump in your tummy
- Extreme tiredness
- Losing weight
Tumours in the bowel typically bleed, which can cause a shortage of red blood cells, known as anaemia. It can cause tiredness and sometimes breathlessness.
In some cases bowel cancer can block the bowel, this is known as a bowel obstruction.
Other signs include:
- Gripping pains in the abdomen
- Feeling bloated
- Constipation and being unable to pass wind
- Being sick
- Feeling like you need to strain - like doing a number two - but after you've been to the loo
While these are all signs to watch out for, experts warn the most serious is noticing blood in your stools.
But, they warn it can prove tricky for doctors to diagnose the disease, because in most cases these symptoms will be a sign of a less serious disease.
"I believe the mind is stronger than any other function… doctors have even said, ‘Trevor, you’re breaking medical science, you shouldn’t be here right now.'"
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Trevor is a renowned hairdresser, known for creating the iconic wedge haircut.
After starting his career as an apprentice to his father, he rose to prominence working for Vidal Sassoon.
He opened his first salon in 1977 and later launched a successful line of hair products.
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Trevor is also the founder of the charity, My New Hair, which provides support to cancer patients with medical hair loss by training hairdressers to create custom wigs.
He was awarded an MBE in 2004.
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