Woman, 24, With Bloody Poop Was Told By Repeatedly By Doctors ‘You’re Too Young For Cancer:’ They Were Wrong

Doctors finally agreed to administer additional tests on Millie because of her stomach pain; a series of scans revealed cysts on her ovaries. An operation to remove them was scheduled, however, it was promptly canceled due to Covid-19.

During the beginning of the pandemic, Millie's symptoms got worse, according to her mother.

"She was tired," Therese told Cornwall Live. "Her stomach was swollen. She could feel lumps and bumps on her stomach."

When Covid restrictions in hospitals were lifted, Millie entered the facility again in December 2020. There, she was finally diagnosed with bowel cancer and her operation was rescheduled.

However, during the operation, doctors discovered her disease had reached stage 4, and the cancer had spread to her liver and ovaries. Her primary tumor was 18 centimeters at the time.

Therese recalled, "Millie asked, 'Will I die?' and the doctor replied, 'Quite possibly, yes,' but in the same breath said, 'But it's rare (for) someone your age.'"

Shortly after her operation, she began chemotherapy treatment. But in July 2021, after showing signs of improvement, she was allowed to take a 12-week break from the treatment.

But three weeks later, she fell ill again.

"She took to her bed, which wasn't like Millie," Therese said, adding that by September of that year, Millie was in "a lot of pain."

"They (doctors) did another scan in September and that's when the doctor said her cancer had progressed significantly," the grieving mother said.

Millie's only option at that point was hospice (end of life) care, but she refused, as she was afraid to die. However, the pain got so bad that she finally agreed.

"The mets (metastatic tumors) in her liver and ovaries had regrown, and further mets were in her lungs, bones and stomach lining," Therese said. "She was admitted to Marie Curie Hospice on September 26 (2021) for pain management. However, during this short period, the cancer progressed to her skin and brain. It's like the cancer just took over. It was so aggressive."

"She didn't stand a chance," Therese added.

Just a few weeks later, in October (just 10 months after she was diagnosed), Millie died in her mother's arms at just 24 years old.

Now, Therese is sharing her daughter's story because she believes that if her daughter had been tested for bowel cancer earlier, doctors could've saved Millie.

Understanding Bowel Cancer

Bowel cancer, also referred to as colorectal cancer, is the third most common cancer affecting men and women in the United States.

It also kills more Americans each year than every other form of cancer except lung cancer.

In the U.K., where Millie lived, bowel cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death, according to Cancer Research UK, accounting for 10% of all cancer deaths.

Dr. Paul Oberstein explains the symptoms of colon cancer.

Signs & Symptoms

Many symptoms of bowel cancer are similar to those of irritable bowel syndrome, so make sure to consult with your doctor.

Dr. Paul Oberstein, director of the Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology Program at NYU Langone's Perlmutter Cancer Center, previously told SurvivorNet a few common symptoms of the disease to look out for:

• Change in bowel movements sudden changes to the size, consistency or caliber of stool
• Change in stool color bright red or black stool is a sign that an individual should seek medical attention
• Pain in the abdomen unusual discomfort or bloating of the stomach. In the case of women, pain isn't related to the menstrual cycle.
• Sudden and unexplained weight loss rapid drop in weight that isn't the result of diet or exercise
• Anemia Individuals who feel a general sense of malaise or faintness, or are constantly tired or weak much more than usual, may want to consult a doctor.

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