A 19-year-old British woman, Milli Tanner, was repeatedly dismissed by doctors despite experiencing symptoms of cancer. After 13 appointments, she took matters into her own hands and was diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer.
Milli Tanner, a 23-year-old woman from Evesham, Worcestershire, has shared her harrowing journey of being repeatedly dismissed by doctors despite experiencing alarming health symptoms. At the age of 19, Tanner noticed persistent abdominal pain, blood in her stool, and lower back pain, but doctors dismissed her concerns for two years.
Repeated Dismissal Due to Age
Tanner’s concerns were frequently dismissed because of her young age. Doctors suggested she might have common issues such as piles (hemorrhoids), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or period problems, but she felt these diagnoses didn’t fit her symptoms. “They said maybe I’d had too much to drink, and that was irritating my stomach,” Tanner explained. “But the bleeding carried on, as well as the abdominal pain … it was continuous.”
Despite Tanner’s persistence and clear signs of an issue, doctors didn’t consider more serious conditions, with one even suggesting it might just be her periods. “Usually with a period, it’s maybe you have a week every month with a bit of abdominal pain, but you don’t tend to lose blood through your back passage,” she said.
Diagnosed After Taking Matters into Her Own Hands
By June 2021, Tanner had attended 13 GP appointments and visited the emergency room multiple times, but nothing was being definitively diagnosed. After becoming increasingly frustrated, Tanner ordered a fecal immunochemical test (FIT) herself. This test, which looks for traces of blood in the stool, ultimately came back positive, leading her to take the results to her GP.
The test confirmed Tanner’s fears. After further testing, the GP referred her for a colonoscopy, which revealed the devastating news: stage three bowel cancer. The cancer had already spread to her lymph nodes.
Treatment and Recovery
Tanner’s treatment journey included chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery, along with a permanent stoma. However, she has received positive news recently. CT scans show no signs of cancer, giving Tanner a renewed sense of hope.
Tanner’s story serves as a powerful reminder about the importance of trusting one’s own body and advocating for health concerns, even when faced with dismissal from healthcare providers. “You know your own body better than anybody else does,” she said. “If it feels wrong, then keep going back until you find what is wrong.”
Encouragement for Others
Tanner’s experience underscores the need for vigilance when it comes to health concerns, especially when symptoms persist. She urges others to push for answers until they find the right diagnosis. Her persistence ultimately saved her life, and her journey can inspire others to take control of their health.
If you are experiencing similar symptoms or need support, consider reaching out to organizations like the American Cancer Society for guidance and assistance.
