Health
Doctors Said It Was Gallstones—But It Was Stage Four Cancer
Doctors have come under fire from a woman whose gallstones were found to be stage-four cancer for taking five months to test a tumour on her pancreas.
When 24-year-old Kanisha Collins received a pancreatitis diagnosis at Royal Chesterfield Hospital in December, she didn’t consider challenging their professional opinion.
They were, after all, in close communication with a group of experts at Sheffield’s Weston Park Hospital, one of only four cancer treatment facilities in the United Kingdom.
And even after a second CT scan in February revealed a deteriorating blood clot and a persistent tumour on her pancreas, the group of specialists steadfastly stood by their position.
Then the ache worsened.
Kanisha, who has a two-year-old daughter, was rushed to the hospital a few weeks after being informed that the tumour was “benign.” There, she discovered lesions on her liver and was informed that a biopsy would eventually be conducted.
After months of doctors arguing that she was too young to be affected by the disease, she was finally diagnosed with stage-four pancreatic cancer that had spread to her liver on May 19.
Kanisha, whose father Dean has raised over £4,000 for her family on GoFundMe, told MailOnline that she blamed the doctors at both hospitals for taking too long to detect her disease, which is now incurable, a day after she began treatment at Weston Park.
She told MailOnline: “This was all because they wouldn’t test the mass on my pancreas, because they didn’t think somebody my age would have pancreatic cancer.”
“I’ve been failed by both hospitals in a way, but I feel like my consultant could have done more at the time.”
“The reason they didn’t was because of my age. Unfortunately, when they told me [I had cancer] it was too late and incurable.”
“Absolutely [I feel let down]. Cancer [diagnoses] should never [be based] off somebody’s age.”
“It should always be tested, no matter what, no matter how old you are, it should be tested from the get go and not left because they think you’re too young.”
“I felt discriminated against because I was so young. My kind of cancer is actually genetic and my daughter has to be tested down the line.”
Kanisha’s life was gaining momentum prior to her diagnosis. She was getting married to her companion Mason, and her daughter Amaya had just turned two.
Nobody could have predicted that the wedding would take place at the end of her first week of chemotherapy, even though it had long been planned for this Saturday.
“I feel heartbroken, because obviously I have a two-year-old daughter at home,” she said. “I get married on Saturday and I had all that to look forward to in the future.”
“But that’s been cut short unfortunately.”
Sitting by her side during her first night of chemo, her father Dean chimed in: “They’re getting married on Saturday, which was planned last year, but cancer wasn’t planned.”
“The idea is, once they’ve got married, to go to the sit down meal. Then once we’ve done that, I’ll take her back home so she can have a rest before coming back to spend a bit of time with the evening guests.”
“She’s going to have a break in between all that to recharge her batteries.”
Even her parents were surprised by Kanisha’s stoicism after her life was completely upended, even though her chemotherapy struggle is still in its early stages.
“Before all this, I was a fit and healthy person and now I can barely do day-to-day walking tasks, because I just get out of breath,” she said.
“I’m on chemo, I’m tired, so it’s hard, but I suppose I’ve got to look for the positive side, that the chemo will shrink enough to give me many years down the line.”
“We’re all staying positive about it and hoping that treatment will shrink my tumours enough to give me a few years.”
Her father added, “She actually seems stronger than both me and her mum. She’s got to be strong for herself and for her daughter and partner.”
In response to Kanisha’s diagnosis, Dean created a GoFundMe website. Using his knowledge of caring for his sister, who passed away from cancer, and the writing abilities of his older daughter’s boyfriend, he created an already successful fundraising campaign.
With almost 150 donations, the fundraiser raised £4,000 in its first day.
Its dual objectives are to support Kanisha’s soon-to-be husband throughout the difficult times ahead and to allow her to cherish the time she has left with her daughter.
After a very trying five months, the mother has found a rare source of optimism in the GoFundme’s meteoric success.
She said, “It’s just to give myself and my family a good holiday and to make those lasting memories. And to not have to worry about the financial side of things, so we can do things as a family.”
“At the moment, unfortunately, I’m not able to fly due to the fact I’m on intense chemotherapy, but my main goal is a nice family holiday down in Cornwall. It’s always been my favourite place to go since being a little girl.”
“And just being able to show my daughter the other parts of England that I’ve been able to see.”
“Eventually after my chemo, if it is successful, I would like to take her on that family holiday abroad, if it is possible. That’s my main goal.”
“It’s for my daughter’s future as well, just so I know she’s going to have a good life.”
Dean added: “The frustrating thing about it is [the delay in diagnosis]. It was a catalogue of errors between the two hospitals. That’s how it seems to me.”
“One set not talking to the other and then the other people just don’t seem to be wanting to to push it further forward, to do further tests, purely because she was young.”
“So my aim now is to bring further awareness out there, with regards to cancer, because there’s loads of people out there who have experienced it.”
Dr Hal Spencer, Chief Executive of Chesterfield Royal Hospital said, “We always strive to give the best care, and we are sorry to hear of Kanisha’s experience.”
“Throughout, her care has always been considered seriously, and we have consulted with regional specialist colleagues who were advising us on her care and management.”
“We would encourage Kanisha and her family to contact us, and we will support them in a full review of her care in order that we can understand the decisions taken and the management advice given.”
“This will help inform our internal reviews already underway.”
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