A British grandmother has detailed the early warning signs doctors dismissed before she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
Sarah Williams said she first sought medical help in January 2025 after suffering constipation, and was told to try laxatives to relieve it.
But the 53-year-old’s symptoms didn’t improve, and the situation escalated when a friend pointed out her eyes looked yellow as she looked after her grandchild.
She then returned for further advice and went to hospital for tests. By the following day, Sarah had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
The learning support teacher said: “When I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, the nurse said I had three options.
“She said I could go home with no treatment and spend time with my family.
“I have the operation, which I ended up doing, or they just treat my cancer with chemotherapy.
“We were all shocked, my husband and I burst into tears, and he phoned our children to tell them the news.”
Sarah went on to have surgery to remove the tumour, along with 20 nearby lymph nodes. After nine days under observation, she was discharged.
However, she said her first night back at home took a dramatic turn when she woke up in severe pain.
“After I was blue-lit to the hospital, it was revealed that I had two blood clots in my lungs,” she said.
“I was in sepsis, and they drained my stomach.
“For five days, all they could do was help with the pain, before transferring me back to Royal London Hospital.”
Following the sepsis episode, Sarah was scheduled to have 12 rounds of chemotherapy, which she began in June last year.
But the treatment plan was halted after six weeks and three sessions when doctors found her red and white blood cell counts were too low to continue.
After multiple further hospital admissions, Sarah arranged a private CT scan in January this year. She said the scan showed the cancer had spread to her lungs, liver and pancreatic bed.
With NHS waiting lists creating delays, she is now paying for chemotherapy privately.
A GoFundMe page has also been set up to help cover the costs.
Sarah added: “My sister, Nikki, launched a GoFundMe so we can pay for chemotherapy privately. The amount of support and messages I have got is overwhelming.
“So many people, people we used to work with, old school friends, have contributed; it is overwhelming.
“We want to extend our gratitude to everyone who has donated to help me.”