Woman ‘told she had IBS’ now facing death aged 30
The family of a woman who claims her rare and aggressive cancer was twice ignored by doctors are encouraging others to press on when they think something isn’t right. Lauren Carey, 30, is trying to complete her “bucket list” after discovering that her condition (squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder) is incurable.
Sister Megan Carey, 28, is urging those unsure about their health diagnoses to get a second, third or even fourth opinion after Lauren was initially “dismissed.”
She said: “The doctors could definitely have done better. They were awful. Lauren wanted to complain but it’s not worth it now because it will take years and she won’t be here to see the results. If something isn’t right with your body just push and push, don’t let the doctors fool you.”
Lauren, a former supermarket duty manager from Banstead, Surrey, was born with a rare condition called bladder exstrophy; This meant that his bladder formed outside his body. His condition improved, but his bladder continued to release on its own, and when he was just eight years old, he had his first major surgery to insert a catheter, which he has used ever since.
Three years ago, Lauren was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder, a rare and aggressive cancer caused by long-term catheter use. Surgeons removed his bladder and replaced it with a stoma, and the family was reassured that the surgery would prevent the cancer from spreading. But last month, the family received devastating news that the cancer had returned and spread to her pelvis and abdomen, without any treatment options.
Megan said: “It was like she had a dairy intolerance, every time she ate certain foods it made her sick. “The doctors dismissed her and said it was IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome).
“He was in disbelief. He wasn’t feeling well at this point, so he didn’t believe he had cancer. Finally they did a biopsy and it turned out it was cancer.”
“It was terrible to hear this. We were devastated. They said from the beginning there was nothing they could do if this cancer came back.
“Now we’re just trying to make memories with him. I’ve done a lot of research on this and it’s a rapidly spreading cancer.”
Megan, who lives in Horley, claims her sister’s symptoms were repeatedly ignored by medical professionals who misdiagnosed her with cancer on both occasions. Initially, doctors attributed it to a urinary tract infection and the second time they suspected food intolerance, or IBS.
The lump discovered in her stomach was later determined to be a pocket of infection, before the sisters learned via the NHS app that Lauren had been referred to palliative care for cancer. Both NHS and private hospitals informed the family that treatment was not possible because surgery would damage organs and other treatments would compromise the immune system.
Megan says she doesn’t know how much time her sister has left, so they’re determined to make as many memories as possible. Claiming Lauren was sent home on antibiotics multiple times, she urges others to insist they knew something was wrong.
She said: “My mum was never told that the catheter could cause cancer. I think it was a new thing so they didn’t even know the risks at the time.
“Every time his doctors called they wouldn’t even see him, they would just give him antibiotics and tell him it was a urinary tract infection. We had to keep pushing.”
Megan has now launched a fundraiser to help Lauren achieve her dreams as she prepares for her senior years. High on her to-do list is attending Lauren’s nephews’ Butlins birthday trip in December, staying at animal lodges at Port Lympne safari park and seeing singer Dermot Kennedy perform live.
A. GoFundMe page It has already raised more than £1,000, which Megan says is incredible, but still falls short of paying for the £1,000-plus a night luxury hostel.
The mother-of-one said: “My sister is like my only friend. She’s the only person I talk to.
“She has always loved animals and would love to go to Port Lympne and stay in lodges where the animals can climb out of the window. She really wants to go there and that’s what we’re aiming for. “She never wanted children, her animals are her children.
“I was so surprised when people started donating. When I told him I was setting up GoFundMe he said ‘nobody’s going to donate for me’. So it was so nice for him to see that people actually cared.”
A representative of Modalite East Surrey Medical Practice, which runs Lauren’s GP Birchwood Medical Practice, said: “As a practice we have provided care for Ms Carey and her family and will continue to support them through this very difficult time. We are truly sorry for what they have experienced and our thoughts remain with them. If Ms Carey or her family have any questions or concerns about the care they have received, the practice would kindly encourage them to reach out so staff can listen, understand and offer further assistance.”
