jade goodyJade Goody has undergone emergency surgey to remove a golf-ball sized tumour from her bowel.

The reality TV star was diagnosed with cervical cancer last summer and despite surgery and intensive chemotherapy treatment over the last few months, tests last week showed that the cancer had spread to her bowel, liver and groin. The new tumour, which is believed to have caused the pain that hospitalised her last weekend, was found to be blocking her bowel and had to be removed immediately.

A source close to the family told the Mirror: “This is yet another terrible blow for her. Things just seem to be going from bad to worse.

“She had just come to terms with the fact that the cancer had spread and was trying to be positive after a meeting with her specialist earlier in this week.

“Jade was trying to be optimistic and was beginning to think she still had a chance despite all the setbacks. But this has been devastating.

“She was told she had to have surgery almost immediately - because of the size of the tumour and its position the doctors had no real choice but to operate straight away. She was scared.”

Speaking to the People newspaper yesterday after Friday’s operation, she said: “The hard truth is I’d be dead if they hadn’t cleared the blockage in my bowel. The tumour made me constipated and caused my body to start bloating. Toxins were building up and poisoning my body.

“I know this sounds gross - but I would have literally exploded if surgeons hadn’t taken action.

“Since coming round from the surgery I’ve been violently sick all the time and crying constantly. I’ve got pain relief and tubes in my neck and nose.

“My biggest fear was that I would have to have a colostomy bag. I’ve dealt with losing my hair - but a poo bag, that really would have been the final indignity for a woman. But, like everything else, I’d have coped because I have to.”

Her spokesperson Max Clifford confirmed that surgeons were “very pleased” with the operation and managed to remove the tumour without damaging the bowel.

Jade is now expected to start a new drug regime over the next few weeks using Topotecan, which is thought to shrink chemotherapy-resistant tumours in around one in four cases.

Jade explained: “It’s a two-month course. I’m willing to try anything.

“I know time is running out for me so I have to reach out for anything that can help. I have to keep pushing on for my two boys. Learning the cancer has spread so quickly has devastated me.

“I’m really praying for a miracle now - because that could be my only hope.”