Colon Cancer Survivor Sharon Osbourne, 69, Stands By Ozzy’s Side During His Own Medical Procedures

The celebration gets even bigger since Sharon also says that her son, Jack, is about to be having his second daughter.

Ozzy supported Sharon through her major cancer battle in 2002, and she’s doing the same now as he undergoes medical treatments that Sharon says will “determine the rest of his life.”

Sharon shared with The Talk UK that she would not be appearing on the show in person until July because of upcoming major operations for Ozzy.

Sharon’s Cancer Journey

Osbourne was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2002 and underwent three months of chemotherapy to treat her disease. After a successful treatment, Osbourne remains cancer-free today. Chemotherapy is one of several methods used to treat this disease. Other colon cancer treatments include radiation, surgery and immunotherapy.

Related: "Ozzy Did Good" Says Colon Cancer Survivor Sharon Osbourne, 68; Spousal Support Through Cancer is So Important

Colonoscopies are used to screen for colon cancer. During the procedure, the doctor is looking for polyps, small growths in the colon which can become cancerous. Dr. Heather Yeo, a colorectal surgeon and surgical oncologist at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian, explains in an earlier interview, “Polyps are a precursor to colon cancer. For a typical colon polyp to go from a polyp to a cancer takes about 10 years.”

Related: Looking for Polyps During Colonoscopy

“The usual guidelines are that we screen someone every 10 years,” says Dr. Yeo. “What happens is there’s an extra growth in your colon. And if that growth is left alone too long, the cells keep growing. And eventually, they become a little less normal, and they invade into an area they’re not supposed to.”

How Does a Colon Polyp Turn into Cancer?

Support From a Spouse

Having a supportive partner or spouse through cancer, as Sharon did, can make the journey easier. A cancer diagnosis can also cement the bonds of a relationship. Actress Jill Kargman who battled melanoma said candidly in a previous interview how revealing a diagnosis can be. “I think cancer is a great way to find out if you’re with the love of your life or a shithead,” said Kargman.

Related: Your Support System Matters Jill Kargman on Getting Through Cancer With Support from Friends

She says that cancer expedites things, too. “I think it presses the fast forward button on getting to the bottom of that answer, because a lot of people in middle age are kind of at a crossroads, waiting for their kids to fly the coop. And I think if you’re with someone who is not supportive and kind of emotionally checked out or doesn’t tell you you’re still beautiful with that, this might not be your person.”

Jill Kargman on Relationships and Cancer 

 

 

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