Adele, 33, Says She Had a ‘Physical Reaction’ To Her Father’s Passing From Bowel Cancer: ‘It Was Like I Let Out One Wail and Something Left’

In a new interview with Rolling Stone, Adele reflects on how their final conversations emotionally set her free after many years of pain following her father’s abandonment of their family. Her parents split when she was three years old, and her father also struggled with alcohol addiction. She tells the magazine, "I don't think I understood the true deepness of how I felt about my dad until we spoke," she says.

Related: 'I Went to Hell And Back': Adele Says Reconciling With Her Father During His Bowel Cancer Battle Prior to His Passing Gave Her 'Peace'

Adele says that her relationship with her dad touched other relationships in her life, too. She explains, "I think I've never been fully in any of my relationships. I always had this fear from a really young age that you're going to leave me anyway, so I'm going to leave or I'm not going to invest myself in anything."

Adele details how her dad’s passing in May from cancer led to her having a full-body reaction. Rolling Stone notes that Adele likened it to the scene in The Green Mile where illnesses are sucked out of people and spat out.

"It was like I let out one wail and something left," says the singer. "I've felt so calm ever since then. It really did set little me free."

What is Bowel Cancer?

Bowel cancer is a general term for cancer that begins in the large bowel, and this type of cancer can also be called colon cancer, rectal cancer, or colorectal cancer. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the United States.

Treatments for bowel cancer can include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. If the bowel cancer is detected early, treatment can be fully effective and stop the cancer from recurring.

In an earlier interview, Dr. Paul Oberstein, the director of the Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology Program at NYU Langone's Perlmutter Cancer Center, shares some common symptoms of bowel cancer, which include:

• Change in bowel movements sudden changes to the size, consistency or caliber of stool
• Change in stool color bright red or black stool is a sign that an individual should seek medical attention
• Pain in the abdomen unusual discomfort or bloating of the stomach. In the case of women, pain isn't related to the menstrual cycle.
• Sudden and unexplained weight loss a rapid drop in weight that isn't the result of diet or exercise
• Anemia  individuals who feel a general sense of malaise or faintness, or are constantly tired or weak much more than usual may want to consult a doctor.

Bowel Cancer Symptoms Explained

Emotional Acceptance of Losing a Parent

As Adele’s experience shows, losing a parent to cancer is emotionally complex, and it’s often even more so if you had a tense relationship with your parent.

Related: "Therapy Saved My Life": After Losing A Loved One, Don't Be Afraid To Ask For Help

Deciding to heal your relationship with a parent when they’re sick can be beneficial for both parties if it’s what you want. When coping with the diagnosis or passing of a parent to cancer, it can be helpful to reach out to your community, like friends and loved ones, for support.

Additionally, seeing a psychologist or therapist who specializes in grief is a good way to process what’s happening in a safe, supportive, professional environment.

Dealing With Grief After a Cancer Diagnosis

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