Sarah Williams, a 53-year-old grandmother and learning support teacher from South Benfleet, was repeatedly advised by her GP to take laxatives for constipation in January 2025, only to later discover she had pancreatic cancer that had spread to her lungs, liver, and pancreatic bed.
Initial Symptoms and Misdiagnosis
Throughout January 2025, Sarah experienced persistent constipation and contacted her GP multiple times. Each time, she was told to visit a pharmacy and purchase laxatives, with no further investigation into her symptoms. "I would call my GP telling them how I wasn't feeling right, but as soon as I mentioned constipation, they would direct me to get laxatives," Sarah recounted.
Critical Turning Point
On February 17, 2025, while caring for her grandchildren, Sarah's friend Elizabeth Cattrall noticed that her eyes had turned yellow. Alarmed, Sarah called the NHS 111 service and was instructed to go immediately to Southend University Hospital's A&E department. There, blood tests and a CT scan were conducted, revealing erratic readings and leading to a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer the following day.
Shocking Diagnosis and Family Reaction
"When I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, the nurse presented me with three options: go home without treatment, undergo surgery, or start chemotherapy," Sarah said. "My husband and I were devastated; we burst into tears, and he called our children to share the heartbreaking news."
Surgical Complications and Ongoing Treatment
Sarah underwent a Whipple procedure at Royal London Hospital to remove the tumour and 20 lymph nodes. Initially successful, she was discharged after nine days but suffered severe pain when internal sutures split, requiring emergency readmission. She developed two blood clots in her lungs and sepsis, necessitating a second operation and a four-week hospital stay.
In June 2025, she began 12 rounds of chemotherapy at St Bartholomew's Hospital, but after six rounds, a scan showed her blood cell counts were too low to continue. On November 29, 2025, she was hospitalized again in agony, and a CT scan revealed a 10cm abscess in her liver, which was drained.
Spread of Cancer and Private Treatment
After receiving intravenous antibiotics until December 22, 2025, a PET scan in January 2026 indicated liver inflammation. Concerned by NHS suggestions to wait until April for further investigation, Sarah sought a private second opinion. Additional tests confirmed the cancer had metastasized to her lungs, liver, and pancreatic bed.
Facing lengthy NHS waiting lists for chemotherapy, Sarah is now funding her treatment privately. Her sister, Nikki, launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover the costs, which has garnered overwhelming support from friends, former colleagues, and old schoolmates.
Emotional and Financial Struggle
"The amount of support and messages I have received is overwhelming," Sarah expressed. "We are deeply grateful to everyone who has donated to help me through this challenging time." She remains focused on starting chemotherapy promptly to combat the aggressive cancer.
This case highlights critical issues in healthcare, including potential misdiagnosis and delays in treatment, underscoring the urgent need for timely medical interventions and support systems for cancer patients.
