‘Fit and healthy’ mother, 24, who assumed she had piles from giving birth dies of bowel cancer

A young mother who thought she had piles after giving birth has died of bowel cancer.

Mia Brehme, from Leigh, Greater Manchester, was just 23 when she received the devastating diagnosis earlier this year.

She had had sporadic anal bleeding since she had Kyla-Mae, now three.

However, Mia assumed her bleeding was caused by childbirth, with hemorrhoids being very common in new mothers.

Her colon cancer was only noticed after she was referred for follow-up testing, when she started experiencing fatigue, nausea, diarrhea and constipation – telltale signs of the disease.

Tests showed it was stage four, the most advanced stage.

Mia died last month at the age of 24, four months after being diagnosed.

Discussing the death of her younger sister, heartbroken Alicia, 28, said her diagnosis was a huge shock.

She said: 'It was a huge shock.

'She was a fit and healthy young mother, and that just didn't seem true.

'Mia didn't want to know the details, she wanted to stay positive and be there for her little girl for as long as possible.'

Alicia, who will look after Kyla-Mae, added: 'Mia and I did everything together, I saw her every day. I was with her the entire pregnancy and I was her birth partner.

'It was Mia's dying wish that I raise Kyla and I will make her proud. Kyla looks exactly like her mom and it is a comfort to me that her mom lives on through her.

She had had sporadic anal bleeding since she had Kyla-Mae, now three. However, Mia assumed that her bleeding was caused by childbirth, with hemorrhoids being very common in new mothers

Her colon cancer was only noticed after she was referred for follow-up testing, when she began suffering from fatigue, nausea, diarrhea and constipation – telltale signs of the disease (Mia is pictured with Kyla-Mae)

'We never thought for a moment that Mia's symptoms could be so serious, because she was a healthy young mother. I hope that in her name young people are checked out and lives are saved.”

Alicia and Mia were close as children, and their bond was strengthened after the death of their mother, Joanne, 43, eight years ago, also from cancer.

Mum-of-two Alicia said: 'Losing my mum was hard and Mia and I relied on each other. We spent every day together.

'Mia was like a second mother to my two sons. When she became pregnant herself, she moved in with me until her daughter was born.

'She was a brilliant mother, absolutely devoted to her little girl. Mia was sassy and outspoken, and Kyla is exactly the same, she's such a character.'

In June 2023, Mia went to her GP complaining of bleeding from her back passage.

Alicia says, “It turned out she had been bleeding occasionally since she had Kyla, but she just assumed she had piles after giving birth, which isn't unusual.

'She got some cream from the pharmacy and it seemed to clear up. The bleeding was on and off.'

Mia died last month, four months after she was diagnosed. Pictured with Kyla-Mae in the hospital

Alicia (her sister) and Mia were close as children, and their bond was strengthened after the death of their mother, Joanne, 43, eight years ago, also from cancer

Follow-up tests – sparked by her additional symptoms – showed her disease was stage four.

It means that the disease has already spread to other parts of the body.

There are almost 43,000 bowel cancer diagnoses and 16,800 deaths every year in the UK. Symptoms can be difficult to recognize.

More than nine out of ten new cases (94 percent) are diagnosed in people over the age of 50, but bowel cancer can affect anyone of any age.

Bowel cancer means cancer that starts in the large intestine (colon) and rectum.

Alicia said, “She gave me permission to receive the updates on her condition instead. That was very difficult, because I knew she was terminally ill, and that was not the case.

'I visited her every day and tried to be cheerful, knowing I was going to lose her.'

Mia underwent chemotherapy which did not help, before being admitted to Wigan and Leigh Hospice.

Bowel cancer can cause you to have blood in your poop, a change in bowel habits, or a lump in your bowel that can cause blockages. Some people also suffer from weight loss as a result of these symptoms

Alicia said: “Mia celebrated her 24th birthday at the hospice on September 27th. Less than a month later she was dead.

'It happened so quickly. Cancer spreads very quickly among young people, which I was not aware of. She deteriorated rapidly and I spent every day in hospice.

'We had a lot of plans to make memories for Kyla, but in the end there was no time. Mia asked me to raise Kyla, with the help of her father.

'I was with her when she passed away, and my heart broke. I feel like part of me is gone too.

'Kyla knows her own thoughts, just like her mother. She keeps asking to go see her princess mummy in the sky, and she has a locket with Mia's photo in it, which she kisses.

'In memory of Mia, I want to raise awareness about this deadly disease, especially among young people. If you have any complaints, no matter how minor they may seem, get examined. It could save your life.'