Actress Jennifer Metcalfe Utilizes Personal Experience for Bowel Cancer Storyline

A soap opera actress, whose father succumbed to bowel cancer, has revealed that she has been able to draw upon “real personal experience” for her role as she portrays her character’s diagnosis with the illness. Jennifer Metcalfe, who plays Mercedes McQueen in the E4 program Hollyoaks, stated that the narrative held “incredibly important” significance for her and that she had “jumped at the chance to do anything that might encourage conversation.” In recent months, Mercedes has undergone chemotherapy and had a stoma bag fitted. Bowel Cancer UK noted that the depiction of the stoma on screen has contributed to removing “some of the stigma and embarrassment away from it.” Hollyoaks producers collaborated closely with the charity to ensure the soap accurately represented what treatment could entail. Hairpieces and wigs were used to cover Metcalfe’s own hair, giving Mercedes the appearance of hair loss, while make-up and prosthetics were also employed to create a chemotherapy port on the character’s chest and a post-surgery scar. Metcalfe, 41, commented: “This story is incredibly important to me. When I was aged 15 I lost my dad to bowel cancer and it has impacted my life hugely. “I have never taken my own health for granted, so when we discussed the storyline I jumped at the chance to do anything that might encourage conversation.” In one scene within the show, Mercedes receives the distressing news that the treatment was not effective and the hospital was unable to provide the chemotherapy drugs she required. Mercedes is shown with a stoma bag, which is used after bowel cancer surgery if a section of the bowel is removed. Chief Executive Genevieve Edwards stated: “Lot’s of people have spoken to us about how great it’s been to see [in the show] someone living with a stoma and it’s taken some of the stigma and embarrassment away from it.” Ms Edwards suggested that storylines of this nature could save lives. She remarked: “Seeing a character like Mercedes in a show like Hollyoaks could be enough to get you to go to your GP and have that conversation.” Ms Edwards further explained: “The thing about bowel cancer is that when it’s diagnosed at its earlier stages it is treatable and curable and most people will survive that diagnosis – so it could be life-saving.” Metcalfe expressed that her objective was to instill greater confidence in people to recognize symptoms and take appropriate action. She concluded: “I’d love people to go away, consider any changes to their bodies and know the right avenues to go to.” For additional content, listeners can access the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Story ideas can also be submitted to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk and via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.