Woman shares four cancer symptoms not to 'ignore' following stage 4 diagnosis
Around 3.5 million people in the UK are currently living with cancer. Hannah's life was turned upside down after her symptoms were repeatedly brushed off.
A young woman has spoken out about her devastating stage 4 cancer diagnosis after her symptoms were repeatedly 'ignored' by doctors for nearly a year.
Hannah, who shares travel content alongside her husband Charlie on social media, says she battled worsening health issues for eight months before finally discovering she had a 12cm tumour on her spine, reports the Mirror.
The UK is home to an estimated 3.5 million people living with cancer, with experts stressing the importance of early detection.
Macmillan Cancer Support states: "On average someone is diagnosed with cancer at least every 90 seconds in the UK. Each year, around 167,000 people die from cancer in the UK, an average of 460 people every day."
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Hannah discovered she had a 12cm tumour on her spine in 2021 following a gruelling eight-month pursuit for answers.
In a TikTok clip shared with her social media followers, Hannah shared her journey, explaining the ordeal she faced before her diagnosis.
She claimed: "So I was medically gas-lit for over eight months which led to a late diagnosis of stage 4 cancer so no, me and my GP are not the best of friends."
She experienced four persistent symptoms during that time
A persistent cough
A full body rash
Severe tiredness
Mysterious weight loss
Hannah continued: "In July of 2021, I had a cough, a fully body rash, extreme fatigue and I lost a load of weight which I thought was a total slay at the time.
"I was told to take antibiotics and come back if it doesn't help - spoiler alert, it didn't. I was refused an in person appointment - pretty sure if there was a 'hypochondriac button' on their computer, they clicked it."
Without naming the specific GP, Hannah detailed how she "called repeatedly with worsening symptoms" and was advised to see a pharmacist for paracetamol, a suggestion that proved futile against the 12cm tumour "pushing" on her spine.
While on a ski trip later that year, Hannah contracted pneumonia. Chest pains eventually sent her to A&E, where she says her symptoms were dismissed as 'period pains'.
However, when her chest pains became "unbearable", Hannah ended up in A&E with what was suspected to be a heart attack. Struggling to breathe and "clutching [her] chest", she claimed the receptionist dismissed her condition as period pains.
Hannah said: "If that doesn't just scream 'misogyny', I don't know what does."
Fortunately, a nurse spotted her distress in the waiting room and rushed her through for care. A chest X-ray revealed a 'massive shadow' near her spine, prompting a CT scan and the eventual diagnosis of stage 4 cancer.
A junior doctor's instinct that something "wasn't right" with her X-ray led to a vital CT scan and the discovery that Hannah was suffering from stage 4 cancer.
Hannah praised the "hospital care after diagnosis", calling it "absolutely amazing" following her intensive treatment regime which included eight months of chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and participation in a clinical trial.
In the caption alongside her video, she added: "By the time anyone listened, it was stage 4 cancer. Eight months of chemo later, I'm still here. But it never should have got that far.
"This is your reminder to fight for answers. If they won't give you a test, ask them to write it in your notes. It might save your life".
The NHS advises that while many cancer symptoms are "very common and can be caused by other conditions", it's still crucial to get a check-up. It notes: "Having these symptoms does not definitely mean you have cancer, but it's important to get checked by a GP.
"If your symptoms are caused by cancer, finding it early may mean it's easier to treat."
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