TV presenter Jo Wilson talks about being cancer-free and why she will never take that for granted
WORDS: SUSANNA GALTON PHOTOS: LORNA ROACH, RAY BURMISTON
BEATING THE ODDS
Sky Sports presenter Jo Wilson is approaching the first anniversary of hearing those magical, longed-for doctor’s words, “Your body is ‘free of disease.’”
But there’s no denying her life has been turned upside down since her stage 3 cervical cancer diagnosis in July 2022.
Next week is Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, and Jo, 39, knows better than anyone how crucial smear tests are. When OK! caught up with the star, she reflects on her year free of cancer and how life has changed forever. “I’m naturally positive, but a brush with death changes things,” admits Jo, who is mum to Mabel, three. “It’s taken longer than imagined to feel ‘normal’, you forget what that even is, but I’ve got more energy these days.”
And the anxiety, she tells us, remains present. “I’m not on any cancer medication, but I have three monthly check-ups [smears] and scans every six months.
“The scan itself is OK, but the week waiting for the results cause ‘scanxiety’ to kick in. I don’t sleep, it’s all-consuming. I try to distract myself, but I do get a little moody.
“Every niggle makes me paranoid. Everyone has a cough, but I start worrying there’s a tumour on my lungs. I had a sore back and worried it was a spine tumour. I have private health insurance through work, so luckily I can get checked. I try to get to bed at 9.30pm, but I’m not a great sleeper.”
During her treatment – which included six weeks of radiotherapy, chemotherapy and brachytherapy [internal targeted radiotherapy] – Jo dropped a stone from her 5ft 10in frame. She’s regained her weight, but is “more conscious” about food now.
She adds, “I’ve always been sporty, though gym routines are hard with work and a little one. I’ve always eaten well, but now I mainly choose organic. I was never a big drinker, but I’ll only have a glass of wine if I’m eating out, or fizz on special occasions. I’m more conscious of alcohol’s health impact generally.”
Jo cried with relief upon learning that her treatment had succeeded initially. This spring will mark a year of her being disease free, but she admits that she’s unlikely to celebrate the anniversary.
“It feels amazing knowing my body is clear, but I can’t take that for granted. I
