My GP Said IBS for 10 Years — Then I Was Diagnosed With Terminal Bowel Cancer at 27

A Mother’s Fight Against Misdiagnosed Bowel Cancer

A mother-of-one has shared her harrowing experience of being misdiagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) for nearly a decade, only to later discover she had stage four bowel cancer. Beth Stichbury, now 27, from Tonbridge in Kent, began experiencing stomach problems in 2015 when she was just 20 years old. She initially visited her GP due to constipation and occasional bleeding, but over the next six years, she went to her doctor eight times, only to be told it was IBS and that there was nothing to worry about.

It wasn’t until the symptoms persisted that she was finally referred for a colonoscopy in August 2024. The test results revealed that she had stage four cancer, meaning the disease had spread to other parts of her body, including her liver and lungs. This shocking diagnosis came after years of being dismissed by medical professionals, leaving her feeling frustrated and betrayed.

The rise in colorectal cancer among people under 50 has become a growing concern for doctors worldwide. The disease, which also took the life of Dame Deborah James at the age of 40, has increased by 50% in this age group over the past three decades. Ms. Stichbury, a dental nurse, is now urging others to recognize the less-known signs of this cancer and not to ignore their symptoms, even if they seem minor.

She is also considering legal action, citing the long period of misdiagnosis as a major factor in her delayed treatment. Recalling her journey, she said, “I never thought it would be anything really harmful. I was always told that I had IBS, and it turns out I probably didn’t.” She described the moment she found out she had cancer: “I was driving to Sainsburys when they called me to say that I had cancer. After doing some research into the type of cancer, I fit the description almost perfectly.”

While the news was not entirely unexpected, she admitted, “It wasn’t a total shock. I was somewhat relieved in a way that there was something that could be done. Obviously, I didn’t expect that my journey would end up how it is. It is heartbreaking, but by that point I was prepared for it.”

Understanding the Symptoms of Bowel Cancer

Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal or colon cancer, affects around 44,000 people each year in the UK and 142,000 in the US, making it the fourth most common cancer in both countries. Common symptoms include changes in bowel habits, such as persistent diarrhea or constipation, needing to go more or less frequently, and blood in the stool. Other signs may include stomach pain, a lump in the abdomen, bloating, unexplained weight loss, and fatigue.

Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek medical advice immediately. While the majority of cases are diagnosed in people over 50, rates in older age groups have either declined or remained stable, while diagnoses in younger adults have risen by 50% over the last 30 years.

Cancer Research UK estimates that over half (54%) of bowel cancer cases in the UK are preventable. Doctors have pointed to factors such as obesity, antibiotic overuse, mobile phone radiation, and even microplastics in drinking water as potential causes. However, an increasing number of experts are highlighting ultra-processed foods as a key contributor.

A Life Changed Forever

Ms. Stichbury has undergone surgery and now lives with a stoma. She is also undergoing chemotherapy and has vowed to continue treatment until it stops working. She hopes to participate in clinical trials and remains determined to fight the disease.

“I have extreme pain all day every day. I am incredibly weak, and I can’t do what I used to do or what a normal 27-year-old should be able to do,” she said. “I have forgotten what it feels like to stand up and not be in pain. I miss the normal things like taking my daughter to the park. I don’t have the energy anymore. I miss out on a lot.”

She added, “The likelihood of the cancer killing me is relatively high. I just want to see as many milestones with my daughter as I can. I would love to see her go to school. My family were all very confused. We were all very hopeful at first because I am young so the mentality was that I would be alright. I think we were all a bit naive on what this cancer was capable of.”

A Call for Awareness and Action

Now, Ms. Stichbury is also planning to take legal action due to the frustration of being misdiagnosed for so long. “I went to the GP about eight times before something was done. Every time that I went I was told it was something else. I always believed my GP. The doctors just told me to drink more water and focus on my diet. I was very frustrated when I finally found out because I knew and everyone who knew me knew that I had problems for years.”

She believes that her symptoms were ignored because of her young age and physical fitness. “If tests were done then they would have known much earlier that I was suffering with this.”

As a former ballet teacher, she has taken it upon herself to raise awareness by creating symptom posters and distributing them in public places. “I hope that more young people become aware of the symptoms. I wish I had advocated for myself better. Things might have been different if I had researched my symptoms myself. Age means absolutely nothing when it comes to cancer and they need to be aware that it can happen to anyone.”

She emphasized that bowel cancer is now the fourth deadliest cancer globally, largely due to its impact on people under 40 who are not being screened. Her story serves as a powerful reminder that no one is immune to cancer, and early detection can make all the difference.