Woman’s Stage โThree Bowel Cancer diagnosis Followsโข Years of Dismissed Symptoms
LONDON – Aโ woman in the UK is speaking out after a prolonged battle to receive a diagnosis of Stage Three bowel cancer, despite repeatedly seeking medical attention forโ her symptoms over a period of two years. milli Tanner, now undergoing treatment, hopes her story will โencourage others to advocate for their health and persevere with doctorsโ when concerns areโฃ dismissed.
Tanner’s ordeal began with โคpersistent symptoms she believed indicated bowel โคcancer,but which were repeatedly downplayed by medical professionals. Over the course of 20 appointments – including 13 visits to her general practitioner and one emergency โฃroom visit where she was told she was “too young to have โcancer” – her concerns were not takenโข seriously. It wasn’t until an โคurgent colonoscopy was ordered in November โค2023 that she received a definitive diagnosis, at which point โขthe cancer had already spread to her lymph nodes.
The โdelay in diagnosis meant Tanner’s cancer had progressed toโข Stage three by the time treatment could begin. She has since undergone chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery to remove the tumor, and now lives โwith a permanentโฃ stoma. The treatment hasโ also induced early perimenopause and raised concerns about her futureโ fertility.
“It โฃwas such a massive โissue andโค stress getting diagnosed,” Tanner said. “I had at least 20 โhealth appointmentsโฆ I had always been maternal, so itโค was heartbreaking to learn Iโ might be infertile. I’d say to people: ‘you know yourโ own bodyโข better โthan anybody else does’.If it feels wrong,then โkeep going back until you find what is wrong.”
Bowelโ cancer isโ the fourthโค mostโ common cancer in the UK, with over 43,000 new cases diagnosed each year, according to Cancer Research โUK. While often affecting older adults, cases in younger people areโข increasing. Symptoms can include persistent changes in โbowelโ habits, blood in the stool, unexplained weight loss, and abdominal pain. Early โdiagnosisโ is crucial for triumphant treatment and improved survivalโ rates. Tanner’s case underscores the importance of patientโข advocacy and the need for healthcare providers to take symptoms seriously, regardless ofโ age. She is now urging others to be persistent in seeking medical attention and to trust their instincts when it โcomes toโข their health.

