A woman from the UK has issued a stark warning after she was refused an exam by the GP because she was 'too young', only to be diagnosed with cancer a few months later.
Alice Greaves first phoned the GP in November 2022 after discovering a lump on her breast, a common symptom of cancer in women, but she was advised that it was likely just an issue with her pectoral muscle.
However, after a close friend was diagnosed with breast cancer she returned to the GP and demanded to be seen a few months later, only to be told that things were 'really bad', and she received an official diagnosis of stage three cancer just a week later.
She was just 24 at the time, but despite having both breasts removed, things would only get worse for Alice, as the cancer progressed to stage four and sadly spread to both her brain and her lungs.
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After a tumour was discovered in her brain, she was rushed in for emergency surgery in June of this year, and now she is issuing a warning to others who might be denied care because of their age.
She said: "It was sheer frustration over the fact that I had tried to be seen.
"I was a bit angry with myself that I kind of didn't push it, equally I was told that it was all ok and I was too young to get cancer. I took their word for it, they're the medical experts.
"It was a bit of shock but I kind of went into fight or flight mode and I chose fight. I've literally not stopped fighting since."
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Alice had radiotherapy to treat the lung cancer and has been off any form of treatment since her brain tumour was removed, with the cancer in her breasts and brain now theoretically gone.
She added: "I had a follow up with my neurosurgeon last week [July 31] and he is very happy with how I'm healing and how I'm doing.
"I'm going to have a scan in eight to 12 weeks to see because theoretically [the cancer] is all removed from my breasts and my brain and it's just now in my lungs.
"Hopefully that's not changed but I think it will hopefully have got smaller in my lungs."
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The 27-year-old is now encouraging others who are in similar situations to push as hard as possible to be seen, especially at a time where getting an appointment with a doctor through the NHS can be particularly difficult.
She said: "You know your own body and if something doesn't feel right you should trust your gut and pursue it.
"Even if you get the all clear and there isn't anything wrong it's the fact that it's peace of mind really."
A spokesperson for the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland ICB, said: "We are unable to discuss the details of individual cases, due to patient confidentiality.
"However, if you are worried that you may have cancer you should come forward immediately to be checked in person by your GP.
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"Treatment is more likely to be successful if cancer is diagnosed early, so it is vital not to ignore any changes to your body's normal processes or unusual, unexplained symptoms."
James Moorhouse