Tragic cancer mum was told she had IBS
FAMILY’S BID FOR ANSWERS OVER 40-YEAR-OLD’S DEATH
A FAMILY are demanding answers following a mum’s death from bowel cancer after initially being told she had irritable bowel syndrome.
Helen Dutton had spent two years believing her painful symptoms were IBS after visiting her GP. But plagued with continuing bowel problems, she again visited her surgery and – after more rounds of tests – Helen was told she had bowel cancer.
Two years after receiving the devastating diagnosis, she died aged just 40. Now, her family say they have unanswered questions about whether the disease could have been found earlier.
Helen, from Droylsden, first went to her GP complaining of abdominal cramps and bleeding in October 2016. At the time, she had a blood test and was advised her symptoms were likely to be IBS, and was given medication.
Blood tests indicated low B12 levels but no other abnormalities. No further investigation followed.
But two years on from that initial IBS diagnosis, in September 2018, she again visited her GP practice with back pain and ongoing bowel issues and was finally referred for a colonoscopy. More tests ensued and she was diagnosed with bowel cancer in January 2019.
Helen, mum to Lilli-Mai – now aged 17 – started radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and had surgery which left her with a permanent stoma.
In August 2020, the family received the devastating news that Helen’s cancer had returned.
The mum, a finance manager, had yet more chemotherapy, but the cancer was found to have spread. She died in August 2021.
Helen’s partner, Darren Rosheski, says the family has been left to wonder if her cancer could have been spotted earlier.
The 52-year-old tradesman said: “Helen had struggled with her bowels for a while but when she was told it was likely to be IBS, we trusted the professionals.
“To then be given the news that she had cancer was a huge shock.
“Helen and I had been together for almost 20 years and I couldn’t imagine not spending the rest of my life with her.
“We have so many unanswered questions and while we would give anything to have Helen back, we know that’s not possible.
“All we can hope for now is that by sharing our story, we can raise awareness of bowel cancer and its symptoms.”
After Helen was told her cancer had spread, she instructed lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate her care and see if the disease could have been found sooner. Darren has continued her case.
Nicola Ashton, the specialist medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Darren, said: “The last two-and-a-half years have been incredibly difficult for Helen’s loved ones, particularly Darren and their daughter Lilli-Mai, who have understandably been struggling to come to terms with losing their mum and partner at such a young age. We’re now investigating whether more could have been done to help her.”
Signs and symptoms of bowel cancer include a persistent and unexplained change in bowel habits, unexplained weight loss, extreme tiredness for no obvious reason, bleeding, a pain or lump in your tummy.