No Butts campaign on ITV's Lorraine
Wednesday 26 April 2023
We're delighted to be giving our support to ITV Lorraine again for their No Butts campaign during Bowel Cancer Awareness Month – for the third year running.
Running from Monday 17 until Friday 28 April, the show will raise awareness of bowel cancer, highlight the key symptoms and interview supporters and celebrities affected by the disease – with our patron, the late Dame Deborah James at the very heart of the campaign.
We'll be updating this page when the campaign is featured so you can keep up to date.
Wednesday 26 April
Channel 4 First Dates' barman, Merlin Griffiths, spoke to Lorraine about his experience of bowel cancer. Almost two years ago to the day, he had such severe exhaustion that on some days he couldn't even get off the sofa or make a tea. He knew something was serious so contacted his GP. He was later diagnosed with bowel cancer, but after chemotherapy, surgery and a stoma reversal his latest scan showed no evidence of the disease. He mentioned that'll he have regular monitoring to check for any new cancers developing in the bowel. He brought with him a special bear that had a stoma, which is given to children to help normalise the experience of having one. Merlin highlighted the symptoms of bowel cancer and urged men especially, to not be embarrassed when talking about their bowel health.
Tuesday 25 April
This morning Lorraine interviewed our patron, Charlene White, who tragically lost her mum to bowel cancer at 47. Charlene was 16 and her youngest brother was three at the time. She is now the same age as her mum when she was diagnosed with the disease, and her message today was the importance of early diagnosis. Charlene also spoke to Lorraine about how being a parent to three children with a full time job meant her mum missed a vital appointment, if she hadn't missed it she may have been diagnosed at an earlier stage. Charlene spoke passionately about putting yourself first, knowing the symptoms of the disease and contacting your GP if you're worried.
Monday 24 April
The No Butts camera crew filmed our incredible supporter, Dr Anisha Patel, who was diagnosed with stage 3 bowel cancer in 2018, having a colonoscopy – a key test that can diagnose bowel cancer, as well as remove polyps and take biopsies – at her local hospital. She spoke about the importance of preparing her bowel for this life saving procedure, as well as urging viewers to attend their appointment if they've been referred for this vital test. Dr Anisha then spoke to a gastroenterology consultant about how to complete a bowel cancer screening test, the benefits of the test and how a third of people who are sent a free test in the post don't complete it. Taking part in bowel cancer screening, and attending your colonoscopy appointment, can save your life.
Thursday 20 April
We were delighted to hear HRH Prince William supporting the campaign this year and encouraging people to know the symptoms of bowel cancer, like he said – it really could save your life. Lorraine chatted to BBC Radio 1 DJ Adele Roberts and her partner Kate about their experience of the disease, and we wish Adele all the best for the London Marathon this weekend. She's hoping to set the Guinness World Record for the fastest person to run with a stoma.
The show also featured a lovely video of Adele and Kate meeting three of our wonderful supporters: Sophie Brown, who was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer and lives with two stomas, Salva Scarna who was diagnosed with the disease in his 40s, and Kate Eastwood who said that because of the No Butts campaign she went to her GP with symptoms of the disease. Because she acted quickly, she was diagnosed at an early stage and is doing well.
Monday 17 April
No Butts kicked off with a brilliant reminder of last year's campaign with powerful clips featuring a range of people affected by bowel cancer, including our patrons and high-profile supporters like Matt Dawson MBE, BBC Radio 1 DJ Adele Roberts and Dr Anisha Patel.
Lorraine chatted to Deborah's mum, Heather, and sister Sarah about Deborah's impact on raising awareness of bowel cancer, and then former Strictly Come Dancing judge and professional dancer, Anton Du Beke made a surprise appearance to ask Heather to dance with him at the end of the show to kick off this year's campaign theme #DanceforDebs.