A woman in the UK lost her life to a rare and deadly form of cancer after initially believing she had food poisoning.
Sian Ashcraft, a 35-year-old woman, first noticed something was wrong in Spring 2023 when she tried to donate blood. During the process, she was informed that she was anemic, meaning her red blood cell levels were too low. She was advised to take iron supplements to improve her health. However, shortly after, she began experiencing severe abdominal pain.
At first, Sian thought the pain was just a symptom of food poisoning. But as time passed, the discomfort became worse, leading her to seek medical attention at a hospital.
Misdiagnosis and Delayed Diagnosis
Doctors initially believed she had gallstones, which are hard deposits that form in the gallbladder. However, her pain did not go away and instead became more intense.
By November 2023, further tests revealed lesions on her liver, which caused significant concern among doctors. After a few months of more medical examinations, Sian was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer called Cholangiocarcinoma.
This cancer affects the bile ducts, which are small tubes that connect the liver to the gallbladder and small intestine. These tubes play a crucial role in digestion by helping transport bile, which is essential for breaking down fats.
A Silent but Deadly Disease
Cholangiocarcinoma is particularly dangerous because it often does not show clear symptoms in the early stages. By the time doctors diagnose it, the cancer is usually at an advanced stage, making it difficult to treat. In most cases, it is inoperable and terminal.
Helen Movement, a spokesperson from the Cholangiocarcinoma charity AMMF, told The Sun that awareness of this type of cancer needs to increase.
She explained that cases of Cholangiocarcinoma are becoming more common, especially in adults under 65 years old. However, many people do not take early symptoms seriously or are misdiagnosed with other conditions.
Unlike Hepatocellular Carcinoma, another type of liver cancer, Cholangiocarcinoma is not strongly linked to liver disease, alcohol use, or other lifestyle factors. The cause of the increasing cases in healthy adults remains unknown.
This tragic case highlights the importance of paying attention to unusual health symptoms and seeking proper medical advice when something feels wrong.
