What's Happening?
Milli Tanner, a 23-year-old woman from Evesham, Worcestershire, was diagnosed with bowel cancer after visiting her GP 13 times and attending A&E. Initially, her symptoms, which included stomach pains,
lower back pain, and blood in her stool, were attributed to piles, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or period problems. Despite her persistent health concerns, she was repeatedly told she was too young for bowel cancer. Tanner's symptoms began at age 19, and she faced a lengthy process to get a proper diagnosis. After ordering a faecal immunochemical test (FIT) online, which tested positive, she presented the results to her GP. It took several more months before the GP ordered a FIT test through the NHS, which confirmed the need for an urgent colonoscopy. Tanner was eventually diagnosed with stage III bowel cancer, which had spread to her lymph nodes.
Why It's Important?
This case highlights the challenges young people face in getting timely cancer diagnoses. Tanner's experience underscores the need for healthcare professionals to consider cancer as a possibility, regardless of age. The Teenage Cancer Trust emphasizes that delays in diagnosis can be traumatic and that the National Cancer Plan for England should empower primary care professionals to recognize cancer signs in young patients. With bowel cancer rates in young people increasing by 74% since the early 1990s, this story serves as a critical reminder of the importance of early detection and the need for healthcare systems to adapt to changing epidemiological trends.
What's Next?
Tanner's story is a call to action for raising awareness about cancer symptoms among young people. She advocates for individuals to trust their instincts and persist in seeking medical advice if something feels wrong. The Teenage Cancer Trust is pushing for the National Cancer Plan for England to include measures that empower healthcare professionals to diagnose cancer in young people more effectively. This could lead to policy changes that improve early detection rates and reduce the trauma associated with delayed diagnoses.
Beyond the Headlines
Tanner's journey also touches on the emotional and physical impacts of cancer treatment, including the risk of infertility and the need for permanent medical interventions like a stoma. Her case raises ethical questions about age-related biases in medical diagnosis and the importance of patient advocacy. It also highlights the potential for long-term shifts in healthcare policy to better accommodate the needs of younger cancer patients.
