Woman’s Stage Three Bowel Cancer diagnosis Follows Years of Dismissed Symptoms
LONDON – A 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 for her symptoms over a period of two years. milli Tanner, now undergoing treatment, hopes her story will encourage others to advocate for their health and persevere with doctors when concerns are dismissed.
Tanner’s ordeal began with persistent symptoms she believed indicated bowel cancer,but which were repeatedly downplayed by medical professionals. Over the course of 20 appointments – including 13 visits to her general practitioner and one emergency room visit where she was told she was “too young to have cancer” – her concerns were not taken seriously. It wasn’t until an urgent colonoscopy was ordered in November 2023 that she received a definitive diagnosis, at which point the cancer had already spread to her lymph nodes.
The delay in diagnosis meant Tanner’s cancer had progressed to Stage three by the time treatment could begin. She has since undergone chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery to remove the tumor, and now lives with a permanent stoma. The treatment has also induced early perimenopause and raised concerns about her future fertility.
“It was such a massive issue and stress getting diagnosed,” Tanner said. “I had at least 20 health appointments… I had always been maternal, so it was heartbreaking to learn I might be infertile. I’d say to people: ‘you know your own body better than anybody else does’.If it feels wrong,then keep going back until you find what is wrong.”
Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK, with over 43,000 new cases diagnosed each year, according to Cancer Research UK. While often affecting older adults, cases in younger people are increasing. Symptoms can include persistent changes in bowel habits, blood in the stool, unexplained weight loss, and abdominal pain. Early diagnosis is crucial for triumphant treatment and improved survival rates. Tanner’s case underscores the importance of patient advocacy and the need for healthcare providers to take symptoms seriously, regardless of age. She is now urging others to be persistent in seeking medical attention and to trust their instincts when it comes to their health.
