To address the anaemia, she began taking iron tablets; however, by August of that year, she started to notice a second warning sign – abdominal pain. This symptom is associated with cholangiocarcinoma, but the mother initially suspected food poisoning.
When the pain persisted, Sian was referred for tests at the hospital, where doctors indicated that she likely had gallstones, but she was subsequently admitted for a procedure to place a stent in her bile duct.
It wasn’t until early November 2023, during a follow-up appointment, that Sian was informed of a lesion on her liver – yet she still did not receive a CCA diagnosis until two months later.
Sian’s stomach pain wasn’t linked to her diagnosis for months (Getty Stock Photo)
Sue described her daughter’s prognosis as an ‘incredible shock’, stating to BBC News: “She had become increasingly ill, making numerous visits to her GP and spending time hospitalized, but her diagnosis came too late to save her.
“Regardless of this, she remained remarkably positive, she never lost her sense of humor, she was extraordinarily brave and, above all, she continually thought about her family.”
Helen Morement, chief executive of AMMF, explained that most CCA diagnoses occur at a late stage, with only about 21 percent identified in stages one or two.
“Often, patients do not fit the typical profile of what many expect a liver cancer patient to be like,” Morement continued, adding that “people are dying due to a lack of awareness of available options.”
She further remarked: “If someone visits a doctor with these atypical symptoms and they do not improve, a liver test should be conducted, which will reveal if something is wrong.”
If you have been impacted by any of these issues and wish to speak to someone confidentially, reach out to the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345 or through their live chat feature, available 24/7 every day of the year.
Featured Image Credit: AMFF/Getty Stock Images
