Carol Vorderman bounces back from chronic health battle as she receives an honorary doctorate from Swansea University

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Carol Vorderman has been made an honorary doctor as she continues to bounce back from her chronic health battle.

The former Countdown host, 64, was given the honour by Swansea University for her 'services to broadcasting and STEM education.'

Carol recently revealed she underwent tests for 70 cancers as part of a full body check in a bid to take her health more seriously after suffering 'chronically debilitating' arthritis.

The mother-of-two wore a tweed brown dress along with her gown and mortarboard as she collected the scroll making her an Honorary Doctor of Science.

As part of her acceptance speech, Carol shared her admiration for STEM and the importance of science, as she related it to her health battle. 

She said: 'I was struck with sudden and chronically debilitating rheumatoid arthritis almost a year ago and it's taken a long time to get the meds right, so I no longer take my health for granted in any way.' 

Carol Vorderman has been made an honorary doctor as she continues to bounce back from her chronic health battle

The former Countdown host, 64, was given the honour by Swansea University for her 'services to broadcasting and STEM education'

Carol previously worked with the university to found the Carol Vorderman Maths Access Bursary, which awards 27 pupils with £2,000 grants to help with their studies, and gave a speech there on International Women's Day. 

She added in her acceptance speech: 'It's a privilege to be honoured by Swansea University. Our connection goes back many years, united by a passion for encouraging numeracy and mathematics in young people.

'It has brought me great joy to support mathematics students at Swansea through giving bursaries.

'I find our younger generation inspirational: bright, hardworking, talented, curious, creative, tolerant, and kind, with a big-picture perspective that my generation was not always encouraged to embrace. Thank you, Swansea, for bringing us together.'

Last month Carol revealed her approach to her health has changed since her diagnosis as she commented on actress Sally Dynevor's Instagram post about going for a full body MRI scan. 

In her post, Sally wrote: 'Health isn't something to take for granted. That's why I chose the full body MRI and CT scan, a powerful radiation-free way to detect potential health issues early. 

'Prevention can be lifesaving, catching problems before symptoms appear. The Ezra scan is about knowledge and peace of mind.'

Carol said she has also been for a full body MRI and is now planning on getting tested for multiple cancers as a preventative measure.

The mother-of-two wore a tweed brown dress along with her gown and mortarboard as she collected the scroll making her an Honorary Doctor of Science

Carol recently revealed she underwent tests for 70 cancers as part of a full body check in a bid to take her health more seriously after suffering 'chronically debilitating' arthritis 

'Morning Sally. I’ve done the same this year with a full body MRI and all clear thankfully. Having the special blood test for 70 cancers this week. Early detection where possible is now my mantra,' she wrote.

'The costs have come down dramatically for these services but they are sadly still a lot for most people. I was struck with sudden and chronically debilitating rheumatoid arthritis almost a year ago and it’s taken a long time to get the meds right, so I no longer take my health for granted in any way xx. 

'Sending huge love and thanks to you for spreading the word and your honesty in all these matters. It helps no end of us mere mortals.' 

Coronation Street star Sally replied to Carol by writing: 'So important as we get older. Sending love to you xxx'. 

During an appearance on Heart Breakfast in October, Carol opened up on her chronic health battle with rheumatoid arthritis that would often leave her 'lying on the floor crying for a day'.   

Speaking about her condition, she told hosts Amanda Holden and Jamie Theakston: 'I've been like you, Amanda, 43 years working.'

Carol commented on actress Sally Dynevor's Instagram post about going for a full body MRI scan

Carol said she has also been for a full body MRI and is now planning on getting tested for multiple cancers as a preventative measure

She continued: 'I don't live in London, I haven't lived in London most of my life, so you know, travelling into London, I have burn out, and then I had, it's a really weird thing, I had sudden chronic rheumatoid arthritis, yeah, chronic. 

'And I literally would lie on the floor crying for a day, and I couldn't move my shoulder, I had to keep my arm like my elbow in at my waist.

'I had been on steroids on and off for months and months and months, because they have to try certain drugs for you and it takes months for you to find the right ones, 

'And now I've been off steroids for like three months or something, and it's like "Yeah, I like this!".'