The heartbreaking death of Married at First Sight (MAFS) expert Mel Schilling has put a spotlight on the often-overlooked warning signs of colon cancer – symptoms she that initially brushed aside.
Long before her diagnosis, Mel Schilling, 54, had started noticing subtle changes in her body, but they were easy to dismiss as stress or fatigue caused by her packed filming schedule.
As the MAFS Australia and MAFS U.K. expert balanced a demanding international career with life as a mom, the symptoms didn’t initially seem alarming – though they would later point to something far more serious.
The information she received would soon turn her world upside down.
Lemon-sized tumor
“In December 2023 I was diagnosed with colon cancer after a tumour the size of a lemon was discovered during a scan,” she shared in March 12 Instagram post. “‘Terry,’ as I called him, was successfully removed and I was initially given the all clear – that much many of you already know.”
Following surgery to have the tumor removed, Schilling reportedly underwent 16 rounds of chemotherapy over two years, continuing to show the same dedication and composure viewers had come to expect from her television appearances.
‘Wasn’t listening to my body’
Before receiving the diagnosis, however, she had been experiencing stomach discomfort while filming MAFS in Australia, something she initially attributed to “hormonal issues.”
Speaking on Lorraine, she celebrated that her cancer was “in remission” and reflected on how easy it had been to ignore the symptoms.
“So, one of the big issues that came out of this for me is that I wasn’t listening to my body. You know, I was just full speed ahead, I’m doing my job, you know, travelling the world, doing my thing, living my best life,” Schilling told the host.
“But all of those symptoms were happening in my body, 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.”
Must ‘toughen up’
Schilling also spoke openly about how women’s health concerns are sometimes minimized, particularly when symptoms involve abdominal pain, which can often be attributed to hormonal or menstrual causes.
“Particularly as women, if we have symptoms in the abdominal region generally we say ‘I’ve got to toughen up – that’s something to do with my cycle.”
“Or, ‘It’s a hormonal issue,’ and we’ve grown up knowing every month we have pain and we just have to get on with it. So, we have that tendency to grin and bear it, and I think there is a flow there to the medical profession where they are very quick to dismiss a woman with pain.”
‘My light is starting to fade’
In her March Instagram post, Schilling shared the devastating news that the cancer had spread to her brain after she began experiencing severe symptoms that could no longer be ignored.
She revealed that in December 2025, she “began experiencing blinding headaches,” and later learned “the cancer had spread to the left side of my brain,” with doctors ultimately telling her that “there is nothing further they can do.”
In her final message to followers, she shared an emotional update reflecting both courage and acceptance.
“So that’s where I am now. My light is starting to fade – and quickly. But I am still here, still fighting, and surrounded by the most incredible love.”
Husband’s heartbreaking tribute
On March 24, Schilling’s husband Gareth Brisbane shared a heartbreaking post, announcing that the beloved TV star “passed away peacefully today, surrounded by love.”
“This is a woman who, through two years of chemotherapy, when she could barely lift her head from the pillow, never complained and never stopped showing courage, grace, compassion and empathy, and never missed a day of filming,” he wrote.
Brisbane also reflected on their life together, describing Schilling as a devoted mother to their 10-year-old daughter Madison and a partner whose presence shaped his life profoundly.
“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,” he wrote, describing her as “an incredible mom” and a “role model and soulmate.”
While her family remembers her strength and compassion, her story is also a reminder of how important it is to recognize the warning signs of colon cancer early.
Symptoms of colon cancer
Colon cancer does not always cause obvious symptoms early on and many people do not realize anything is wrong until the disease has progressed.
Health experts note that warning signs can vary depending on the size of the tumor and where it develops in the large intestine.
According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms include:
- Ongoing changes in bathroom habits, including more frequent constipation or diarrhea than usual
- Blood appearing in the stool or rectal bleeding
- Persistent abdominal discomfort, such as cramping, pressure, bloating, or pain
- Feeling as though the bowel is not fully empty after a bowel movement
- Constant fatigue or unusual weakness that does not improve with rest
- Unexplained weight loss without changes to diet or physical activity
Understanding these symptoms and seeking medical advice early can improve outcomes and increase the chances of successful treatment.
Schilling concluded her March 12 Instagram post: “If I could leave you with one thing, it would simply be this: if something doesn’t feel right, please get it checked out. It might just save your life.”
Her final wish was simple: don’t ignore the signs. Please share this story to help raise awareness about colon cancer and the importance of early detection.
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