By Cristina Cumo
PURIST: This is such an important topic. Tell us why you decided to write this book.
CHLOE MELAS: A few years ago, I remember doing a Google search and being shocked to see that there aren’t many women with a platform who are outspoken about living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Sure, #hotgirlshaveIBS trended on TikTok last year, but where are the women who are pursuing big careers and raising families who have been suffering like me? I decided, along with my friend Judy, that we might as well be the ones to put a face on this disease, in hopes of building community and helping women feel less alone.
These are some very personal stories, but you also did a lot of research. What surprised you most while writing this over the past three years?
Since we started writing, the statistics have continued to grow and become staggering. Colorectal cancer is now the No. 1 cancer killer of men and women under 50. Living with IBD increases risk of developing colon cancer, and for me, this book is a call to action: We need to start speaking about gut health just like we’ve normalized the conversation around heart health, breast cancer and perimenopause.
What has it been like raising kids and pursuing a career while also battling a chronic illness?
Raising kids while living with this invisible disease has stolen a lot of joyful moments. It loomed large over my wedding day—I barely ate anything, worried that I might trigger what’s known as a flare. I’ve missed sports games, had to skip work events because I couldn’t stray too far from a bathroom. Just this week, I had to cancel a lunch meeting and make it a Zoom because I wasn’t feeling well. It makes me sad, but at the same time, it’s incredible to have turned this darkness into purpose. I somehow haven’t let it stop me from traveling the world and pursuing my dream job, and I hope this book gives someone the confidence to get out of bed when they’re feeling like they can’t.
You also discuss IBS, colon cancer and celiac disease in the book. Why broaden the focus?
The prevalence of IBS, colon cancer and celiac disease are all on the rise, and we wanted to reach a larger audience. Experts estimate that about 4 million people live with IBD in the United States, but up to 45 million Americans live with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)—that’s a huge percentage of the population, and most of these conditions are underdiagnosed. We wanted to educate women on the signs and symptoms because a lot of times, we tend to dismiss them or self-diagnose. Hopefully someone sees themselves or a loved one in these pages and schedules an appointment with a gastroenterologist.
What do you hope to achieve with the book?
I hope that once November 10 arrives and the book is out in the world, anyone who has felt defeated by these conditions sees hope. As they say, it’s always darkest before the dawn.
The Girl’s Guide to Guts: Everything Your Doc Didn’t Tell You (But Your Bestie Would), by Chloe Melas and Judy Batalion, is out Nov. 10 from Random House
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