'Doctors thought I had gallstones - it turned out to be a rare liver cancer'
A Moray mum has described how a suspected case of gallstones turned out to be a rare form of liver cancer following a six-month wait for vital scans.
Nikki Simpson, 52, who has cholangiocarcinoma, says her symptoms were dismissed despite several visits to her GP clinic in pain. Tests revealed a 10cm tumour on her liver in September 2024.
She has since undergone 15 rounds of chemotherapy and is now receiving immunotherapy.
Now, Nikki is supporting a national campaign to raise awareness of the signs of the disease.
She told STV News: 'It's very difficult to diagnose, but I went with several different symptoms of the disease.
'I had a lot of pain underneath my right ribs, changing bowel habits, and darker urine.
'I wasn't jaundiced – which is one of the main symptoms – possibly one of the reasons why it was missed.
'Because there's not enough awareness of the disease – both among patients and health professionals – it was fobbed off for six months.'
Husband Neill added: 'Whether that could have made the difference or not, we'll never know.'
Once classed as rare, cholangiocarcinoma is now on the rise amongst younger people, with six in 100,000 Scots developing the disease. STV News Nikki Simpson hopes to raise awareness of cholangiocarcinoma
Vague symptoms such as pain under the right rib, tiredness, pale stools and dark urine mean it's difficult to diagnose and often not until it's too late for treatment.
Nikki joined campaigners and health professionals at a reception held at Holyrood to press politicians to fund more research into treatment for cholangiocarcinoma.
'You put you're trust in the professionals, but if things are taking six months, it could unfortunately be too late,' she said.
'My disease is stabilised, which is the best we can hope for. I'm hoping the immunotherapy will keep it at bay for longer.'
Liver cancer charity AMMF says it wants more GPs to be aware of the signs and urges people who are concerned to ask their doctor for a liver function test.
AMMF CEO Helen Morement said: 'We ask GPs just to be aware that these vague symptoms could add up to something serious and if there's the slightest suspicion, run a liver function test.'
'It's just a blood test and it will show if the liver results are raised and if so, then start investigating.'
Public health minister Jenni Minto has agreed to consider the case for tests which explore if patients are eligible for immunotherapy treatments which can delay the cancer's progress.
The Simpsons say they don't want anyone else to have to suffer life-changing delays for a diagnosis.
Neill said: 'If we can help someone else going forward, that's going to be in our position, that can only be a good thing.
'We want to raise awareness to stop this from happening to other families.'
Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
STV News
2 hours ago
- STV News
'Do not eat': Pesto product could cause serious food poisoning and be fatal
Scots are being urged not to eat a pesto product which could cause a 'serious form of food poisoning', and in some cases be fatal. Food Standards Scotland (FSS) warned consumers not to eat the 'Fresh Wild Garlic Pesto' from Fife-based Trotter's Independent Condiments. Health experts say there are concerns over the absence of procedures in place to control the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. Satisfactory manufacturing controls that prevent the growth and toxin production by the bacteria could not be demonstrated. Trotter's Independent Condiments Trotter's Fresh Wild Garlic Pesto. Trotter's Independent Condiments FSS say this means that the product could cause a serious form of food poisoning called botulism, and can be fatal in some cases. The warning affects the Fresh Wild Garlic Pesto product with a pack size of 230g and all best before dates. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
STV News
11 hours ago
- STV News
'Doctors thought I had gallstones - it turned out to be a rare liver cancer'
A Moray mum has described how a suspected case of gallstones turned out to be a rare form of liver cancer following a six-month wait for vital scans. Nikki Simpson, 52, who has cholangiocarcinoma, says her symptoms were dismissed despite several visits to her GP clinic in pain. Tests revealed a 10cm tumour on her liver in September 2024. She has since undergone 15 rounds of chemotherapy and is now receiving immunotherapy. Now, Nikki is supporting a national campaign to raise awareness of the signs of the disease. She told STV News: 'It's very difficult to diagnose, but I went with several different symptoms of the disease. 'I had a lot of pain underneath my right ribs, changing bowel habits, and darker urine. 'I wasn't jaundiced – which is one of the main symptoms – possibly one of the reasons why it was missed. 'Because there's not enough awareness of the disease – both among patients and health professionals – it was fobbed off for six months.' Husband Neill added: 'Whether that could have made the difference or not, we'll never know.' Once classed as rare, cholangiocarcinoma is now on the rise amongst younger people, with six in 100,000 Scots developing the disease. STV News Nikki Simpson hopes to raise awareness of cholangiocarcinoma Vague symptoms such as pain under the right rib, tiredness, pale stools and dark urine mean it's difficult to diagnose and often not until it's too late for treatment. Nikki joined campaigners and health professionals at a reception held at Holyrood to press politicians to fund more research into treatment for cholangiocarcinoma. 'You put you're trust in the professionals, but if things are taking six months, it could unfortunately be too late,' she said. 'My disease is stabilised, which is the best we can hope for. I'm hoping the immunotherapy will keep it at bay for longer.' Liver cancer charity AMMF says it wants more GPs to be aware of the signs and urges people who are concerned to ask their doctor for a liver function test. AMMF CEO Helen Morement said: 'We ask GPs just to be aware that these vague symptoms could add up to something serious and if there's the slightest suspicion, run a liver function test.' 'It's just a blood test and it will show if the liver results are raised and if so, then start investigating.' Public health minister Jenni Minto has agreed to consider the case for tests which explore if patients are eligible for immunotherapy treatments which can delay the cancer's progress. The Simpsons say they don't want anyone else to have to suffer life-changing delays for a diagnosis. Neill said: 'If we can help someone else going forward, that's going to be in our position, that can only be a good thing. 'We want to raise awareness to stop this from happening to other families.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Scotsman
a day ago
- Scotsman
Expert urge Edinburgh to take precautions ahead of scorching temperatures
THEYE With scorching temperatures predicted in Edinburgh this weekend (20th - 22nd June), Scots are being urged to take precaution as mosquito-born diseases are rapidly spreading across the country. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Temperatures are expected to rise up to 27 degrees, and experts are encouraging Scots to ensure they're wearing more than SPF, but mosquito-repellent too. This follows news on the recent West Nile virus outbreak found in the UK for the first time. Mainly spread between birds, the West Nile virus can now infect people when bitten by an infected mosquito. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, aches and nausea - and in rare cases, can cause encephalitis or meningitis. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Mosquitoes thrive in warm, damp conditions and their activity increases as temperatures rise - meaning the risk of a bite from a disease carrying mosquito is higher. Founder of natural insect repellent brand THEYE®, explains: "Many people assume that mosquito-borne diseases are only common abroad, but climate change has resulted in those viruses now spreading to the UK as populations migrate - which is what we're seeing with the West Nile Virus. We're expecting higher risks of not only West Nile, but worrying reports of Zika, Chikungunya, Dengue Fever, on home shores, and abroad in holiday hotspots around Europe. 'Protection is more important than ever, but it does not, and should not, mean more chemicals." Nick warns Brits against using popular chemical repellents with DEET, especially around children and pregnant women, praising DEET‑free, natural alternatives that can be reapplied more frequently without harmful side effects. The secret ingredient to the natural alternative is known as PMD - a natural compound derived from Java Citronella oil, and has been clinically proven to repel mosquitoes, ticks, and other biting insects - without the toxicity risks of chemical alternatives like DEET. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad His advice: 'We'd strongly recommend getting tested and approved natural, DEET-free insect repellents and wearing these across the day, and particularly into dusk. If you're travelling into particularly high-risk areas, covering up with long sleeves or trousers can be a great idea, and sleeping under a mosquito net if sleeping outdoors or somewhere particularly rural would be key. Keep an eye out for standing water, including perhaps paddling pools and marshy puddles, as they love standing water. Finally, if in high risk zones, make sure that your repellent option is signed off for use in high risk areas like THEYE®, but do make sure that you're consulting your doctor before travel.' To find out more information about THEYE or to shop the products, please visit:
