Woman Reveals Impact Cancer Has Had As She Campaigns To Raise Awareness Of Signs And Symptoms Of Disease

A mum-of-two has been diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer after seeking help from medics multiple times concerned about bleeding. 

Rebecca Gibson, of Wythenshawe, Manchester, is now campaigning to raise awareness of the signs of the disease. The 36-year-old has instructed specialist medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate whether more could have been done to diagnose her cancer sooner. 

Manchester mum Rebecca contacted medics concerned about possible cancer symptoms

Rebecca, who has been forced to give up her career as a social worker, started complaining of bleeding in 2018. After an initial sigmoidoscopy – an examination of the lower bowel – she was told she had a polyp but there was nothing to be concerned about.

Rebecca continued to contact GPs concerned about her symptoms. During some of the consultations Rebecca said she was told her condition could be internal piles. 

It was during a GP appointment in October 2022 that a doctor referred her for a colonoscopy – a fuller examination of the bowel.

Rebecca diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer

Rebecca, who had started suffering from tiredness, severe stomach pain and sulphur-smelling burps, asked for an urgent referral but didn’t undergo a colonoscopy until January 2023. It was then that doctors found a tumour. 

Following a CT scan that month, doctors found her tumour was 10cm and was stage four cancer. The cancer had spread to her liver. 

Medical negligence lawyers asked to investigate mum-of-two's care 

Following her bowel cancer diagnosis, Rebecca, who has two sons Kalem and Alfie Gibson, aged 17 and three, with partner of 19 years Wayne, aged 38, instructed specialist medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate.

Expert Opinion

“Rebecca’s diagnosis has come as a devastating blow to her and her family. They’re all struggling to come to terms with what it may mean for their future.

“Understandably Rebecca has serious concerns about her care, especially given the number of medical appointments she had in which she raised her concerns.

“While nothing can make up for what she and her loved ones are going through, we’re determined to support them and provide Rebecca with the answers she deserves.

“While often associated with over 50s, bowel cancer can affect anyone of any age. However, the disease is treatable and curable if diagnosed early.

“Therefore, we join Rebecca is urging everyone to be aware of the signs of symptoms of bowel cancer. While Rebecca has concerns about what happened to her, it’s vital people continue to seek medical help as soon as possible.” Shahin Master

Bowel cancer: Rebecca Gibson's story

Following her diagnosis, Rebecca started chemotherapy. Initially she was told her cancer was inoperable. However, because of the pain she had in her stomach which caused vomiting, surgeons removed the tumour last summer. They also removed Rebecca’s ovaries as the cancer had spread. 

Following further tests Rebecca was told the cancer in her liver had grown. At the start of this year, she was also informed it had spread to her right lung. 

Family set up online appeal to help fund potential private treatment for Rebecca 

After Rebecca was told palliative chemotherapy wasn’t having much effect, her loved ones have set up an online GoFundMe appeal to help fund potential treatment with a private cancer drug not available on the NHS. Rebecca said any additional money on top of that needed to fund the drug -  Avastin – which costs between £5,000-£6,000 a month to self-fund would be used to explore other treatment options abroad and make family memories.

Rebecca's care concerns 

Rebecca said: “I was concerned and didn’t feel supported by the GPs, but I just trusted if they weren’t concerned then it must have been okay. 

“However, by the autumn of 2022 I really knew something wasn’t right. I kept flagging my symptoms and concerns and pushing for an urgent colonoscopy. I’d been begging for years but not once had I been referred.  

“By the time of my colonoscopy I knew it was cancer. However, to be told that they had found a 10 cm tumour that had perforated my bowel and had spread was absolutely devastating. 

“Despite everything nothing prepared me for that moment. I found it difficult to accept and immediately thought about how long I’d been having issues and whether the cancer could have been diagnosed earlier.”

Rebecca determined to meet life-changing bowel cancer 'head on'

Rebecca added: “Since my diagnosis every aspect of my life has changed. 

“I’ve lost my identity. My appearance is something which has massively impacted me. I’m constantly exhausted and spend most days lying on the couch as I’m in so much pain and physically can’t get myself up. 

“Before my diagnosis, I was active and enjoyed cycling, swimming, walking the dog. I had a successful job and a career plan and enjoyed family holidays, while Wayne has gone from being my partner to my carer.

“The support I’ve had from my family and friends has been amazing. I’m so grateful to them for everything they do but it’s difficult not to think about the future and what it may hold.  

“I’m trying to stay strong and meet my cancer head on, but I’m aware I’m running out of options. I’m looking into treatments that aren’t available on the NHS as I want to do absolutely everything I can to be with my family for as long as I can.”

More details on the GoFundMe appeal set up to help Rebecca and bowel cancer

More information on Rebecca's story and her family's fundraising appeal can be found on their GoFundMe appeal page. 

More information on the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer can be found on the website of the charity Bowel Cancer UK. 

Find out more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in supporting patients and families affected bowel cancer at our dedicated cancer claims section. Alternatively, to speak to an expert contact us or call 0370 1500 100.