The 46 year old was found dead in a hotel room in Melbourne on April 30
While Zonfrillo's death is "not being treated as suspicious" the Daily Mail reported citing a Victoria Police spokesperson, only his close friends knew that he was suffering from the disease.
He was suffering from bowel cancer.
"He was being treated for cancer since June 2021"
As per the media report, Zonfrillo was receiving treatment for bowel cancer since June 2021, citing a report from Daily Mail Australia. The report also said that Zonfrillo's cancer was detected in a colonoscopy in May 2021.
"No one in his circle is aware of what he is going through. Neither colleagues or friends. He has not wanted anyone to know as he deals with this tough journey. He is coping poorly with chemo treatment, and the effects it is having," the report says quoting sources.
He was treated at the Kinghorn Cancer Centre in Sydney and Epworth Oncology in Melbourne. He underwent chemotherapy while the filming of second series of Celebrity MasterChef in 2021 was on, report said.
His cancer had returned; this time it was more aggressive
Zonfrillo was earlier treated for bowel cancer before 2016.
When it returned in 2021, it was more aggressive, the report has said.
Due to the chemo treatment his weight dropped and he had nausea and excessive vomiting.
His memoir
In his memoir Last Shot, he has not mentioned about cancer he suffered in 2021.
However, he has talked about his addiction to heroin when he was a young man staying at Glasgow.
What is bowel cancer?
The common signs of bowel cancer are blood in the stool, abdominal discomfort, change in bowel habit, frequent episodes of diarrhea and constipation.
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are the common treatment methods for bowel cancer.
Know all about the disease
It is one of the most common forms of cancer
Also referred to as colorectal cancer, bowel cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death worldwide and claims around 1 million lives in a year, as per the WHO.
Obesity and physical activity are said to be the common risk factors for this cancer. "Tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption also increase the risk of colorectal cancer. Quitting smoking and reducing or avoiding alcohol consumption are important steps in reducing your risk of developing colorectal cancer," the WHO says.
One of the most effective way to reduce the risk of bowel cancer is to get screened on a routined basis starting from the age of 45.
Screening helps detect the polyps and finds the cancerous tumor in its early stage.
"Will be so very missed": Jamie Oliver
Indian Chef and former MasterChef India judge Kunal Kapur has written a heartfelt note for Zonfrillo.
"It is with a heavy heart that I write today to express my deepest condolences on the passing of Jock Zonfrillo. His sudden departure from this world has left us all in shock and disbelief," writes Chef Kunal Kapur.
"As a fellow chef, I had the privilege of working alongside Jock and getting to know him personally. He was a kind and generous soul, always willing to share his knowledge and experiences with others. His talent, creativity, and infectious energy will be sorely missed in the kitchen and beyond," his note on Instagram reads.
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