Mum who died from bowel cancer within a year had only been showing one symptom

Warning: This article contains discussion of cancer which some readers may find distressing.

A mum who was diagnosed with bowel cancer was told at first that the symptom which raised the alarm was a sign of something else.

76-year-old Maria Paszkiewicz had noticed a change in her bowel habits and was told at first that this symptom was caused by her having an intolerance to some foods.

However, she was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer in August 2023, which had spread to her liver.

Chemotherapy at first seemed to show some promising signs but before long her disease became resistant to later rounds of treatment and in the middle of April 2024, Maria was told she likely had between three and six months left to live, but sadly she died just three days later on 25 April.

Her daughter, Coventry woman Anne-Marie, 43, said her mum's death so soon after being told she still had some months left 'was a shock to the core'.

Maria Paszkiewicz (right) was told she had just months to live, instead she had just days (SWNS)

"My mum had a noticeably significant change in bowel habits – the need to go more frequently and often with some urgency – and that eventually prompted the request for a blood test at the doctors," Anne-Marie explained of her mum's main symptom.

"The change in bowel habits was initially thought to have been an intolerance to certain foods, but when this didn’t feel right my mum had to push for a blood test to be done to ascertain what the issue really was.

"It will be very emotional week, my mum passing has given me a whole new reason to focus on running. It was a huge shock to the system.

"After that initial prognosis we spent the next few days calculating how long three months was and milestones coming up and what can we do as a family - but we didn't get to do any of that.

"So for her to then suddenly pass away a few days later, it was a shock to the core."

Anne-Marie is paying tribute to her mum by running two marathons in a week, as she will run the Boston Marathon on 21 April and then the London Marathon on 27 April.

Marie's daughter Anne-Marie is running two marathons next week and has raised thousands for Macmillan Cancer Support in her mum's memory (SWNS)

She's run 22 marathons and 78 half marathons over 15 years, covering 1598.2 miles in the races and if she completes the Boston Marathon then she will earn the Abbott World Marathon Majors 6 Star Medal.

The 43-year-old has been a keen runner for a decade and a half, but found that channelling her grief into running helped and thought getting a spot in the London Marathon 'felt like a lovely way to honour mum and give back'.

She's raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support by running the marathon, having set herself a target of raising £2,500 which she has since surpassed and is getting close to doubling, and if you want to donate you can do so here.

Anne-Marie said: "It's been amazing to see the kindness of people and the community spirit that shines through during times like this."

Pascale Harvie, president and general manager of JustGiving, said: "Anne-Marie's fundraiser not only honours her mother's legacy it also highlights the powerful impact that charities like Macmillan have in supporting those who need it.

"We wish Anne-Marie the very best of luck in her London Marathon 2025 challenge."

If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact Macmillan’s Cancer Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 8am–8pm seven days a week.