“Married at First Sight” actress Melanie Schilling, 51, chooses to continue working on her television show, offering relationship advice to couples despite her ongoing cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Schilling was diagnosed just before Christmas last year after experiencing stomach cramps while filming a show. She underwent surgery to remove a 5-centimeter tumor from her colon.
Some cancer patients can continue to work during cancer treatment, while others may need to take some time away. Doctors recommend returning to work if possible, as it helps cancer patients regain a sense of normalcy.
The Rehabilitation Act may protect cancer patients who choose to work but need accommodations on the job, the Americans with Disabilities Act, or the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
Colonoscopies are the most effective way to screen for colon cancer, according to our experts. The advantage of a colonoscopy is that your doctor can remove any polyps found during the test. Many colon cancers can be caught on colonoscopy before they develop or when the polyps are small enough to be removed without surgery.
The American Gastrointestinal Association lowered the recommended initial age for a colorectal screening from 50 to 45.
“Married at First Sight” actress Melanie Schilling, 51, may be living with colon cancer, but it hasn’t stopped her from doing what she loves. Behind her bright smile, she wondered, in the weeks following her diagnosis, if she would be able to grace a television set again.
Offering couples relationship advice brightens her day, and she says she’s grateful to be able to carry on with her role on her television show despite ongoing cancer care.
Schilling’s desire to keep working on her show just a few months removed from her cancer diagnosis is something some SurvivorNet experts recommend patients do if they are able.
“We always encourage people to continue to work if they can,” saysSarah Stapleton, a clinical social worker at Montefiore Medical Center.
“I think it creates a sense of normalcy for patients.”
“Doesn’t everyone arrive at their workplace like this?” Schilling asked in an Instagram post.
In her video post, Schilling is seen wearing a bright pink dress and comfy shoes and twirling her way on the television set.
“Nothing like a cancer diagnosis to put things into perspective. There was a moment there when I started to wonder if I’d ever step onto a TV set again. So now, the simple act of turning up to work fills me with joy, gratitude, and celebration,” Schilling said in her Instagram post.
Photo: (Instagram/Mel_Schilling1)
Schilling’s positive attitude is rubbing off on her legions of fans, as she shows that even with a diagnosis, one’s quest for one’s desired purpose and joy doesn’t have to falter.
“You’re so beautiful Mel. A real advocate for women. Truly hope your cancer journey is going well,” Instagram user Elaine Hunter commented.
Fulfilling a Desire to Work During Cancer Treatment
Schilling revealed she was diagnosed with cancer just before Christmas last year. While she hasn’t offered many details recently regarding her cancer journey and treatment, Schilling makes sure she has the strength to continue working.
Sometimes, cancer can make you feel isolated and lonely, and being around people for work can alleviate feelings of loneliness.
It’s important to talk with your doctor before continuing to work during treatment. Ask your physician what you can and cannot do to avoid disrupting ongoing treatment.
Remember, sometimes cancer treatment can cause fatigue, leaving you unable to fulfill your duties as you once could.
Fortunately, some on-the-job accommodations can make working during cancer treatment much easier.
It’s important to remember people with job problems related to cancer are protected by the Rehabilitation Act or the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) may also benefit others. This law allows many people with serious illnesses to take unpaid leave to get medical care or manage their symptoms.
Your human resources department should be able to share with you your options.
In some situations, employers must accommodate a qualified applicant or employee with a disability unless the employer can show it would be an undue hardship to do so. This could mean making changes to work schedules, equipment, or policies.
WATCH: Will my cancer get me fired?
Laurie Ostacher, a behavioral health clinician at Stanford Health Care, recommends cancer patients talk with their employer about accommodations they may need upon returning to work.
“Patients need to let their employer know [they’re] going to need some flexibility… Because there are going to be days when you’re not as energetic or feeling as well as other days,” Ostacher explained.
Mealnie’s Cancer Journey
Schilling’s cancer diagnosis came about as a shock to the popular actress and mom.
While filming a show, Schilling says she started developing severe stomach cramps on set.
“I put it down to all the travel I’d been doing,” Schilling wrote in an Instagram post.
Courtesy of Melanie Brisbane-Schilling’s Instagram
Despite her doctor dismissing her symptoms as benign constipation and offering laxatives as a remedy, Schilling always suspected more was going on.
“I knew something still wasn’t right, so I booked in for a scan when I returned to the U.K.,” she said.
Getting a second opinion from a different doctor proved helpful for the mother of one.
“On Thursday, I was told I had colon cancer, and in an instant, my whole life changed,” she said.
Schilling underwent an operation to remove a 5-centimeter tumor.
“A tumor that had it gone undetected for much longer would have killed me,” she said.
Despite the nerve-wracking cancer diagnosis, Schilling says she feels “incredibly blessed that it’s a cancer that is relatively easy to eradicate” and that she’s expected to make a full recovery.
She has her family by her side, offering the actress much-needed support. Supportive fans online also showered Schilling with added support.
“Bloody hell, Mel!!! Sending enormous love, I know you’ll beat this bastard with speed and determination. Much love to you and your family, and just take each day right now,” Instagram user and author Anna Williamson commented.
Understanding Schilling’s Diagnosis
Colon cancer is very treatable and curable if caught early. Colon cancer screenings can involve at-home tests such as Cologuard, but a colonoscopy is more effective, according to SurvivorNet experts. A colonoscopy involves a long, thin tube attached to a camera to examine the colon and rectum. If no polyps are discovered, the following screening won’t be needed for ten years. Polyps are small growths in the colon that are not yet cancerous but can potentially develop into cancer.
“When we see a polyp, we actually physically remove it through the colonoscope,” Dr. Zuri Murrell, a colorectal cancer surgeon and Director of the Cedars-Sinai Colorectal Cancer Center, explained.
The cancer starts when abnormal lumps called polyps grow in the colon or rectum. It takes up to 10 years for a colon polyp to become full-blown cancer, according to SurvivorNet experts.
The most poignant signature of colon cancer is a change in bowel habits. Changes in the size or shape of bowel movements may cause constipation or diarrhea. A change in stool color, mainly black or tarry stools, can indicate bleeding from a tumor deep in the colon.
Other symptoms can be harder to pinpoint, such as abdominal pain and unintentional weight loss. Finally, some tumors bleed a small amount over a long period, resulting in anemia (low red blood cell count) that is picked up on blood work.
Questions for Your Doctor
If you are battling cancer and are feeling open to working during treatment, consider the following questions for your doctor first.
What’s the current prognosis of my cancer?
What are the potential side effects of my recommended treatment?
Will the side effects affect my ability to travel to my job, or will remote work be more optimal?
How long is my treatment expected to last?
If I cannot return to work as normal, what financial resources are available while I take a leave of absence?
