I thought I had a stomach bug – but it turned out to be cancer: Heartbreak of 41-year-old whose disease has spread through her body
A woman has told how she is battling cancer after initially mistaking her symptoms for stomach flu.
When Kasia Szczech, who lives in London, started experiencing frequent illnesses after eating last September, she assumed a virus had emerged.
However, the 41-year-old went to her GP when her symptoms did not improve.
The test results showed that the service support administrator had bile duct cancer and had a 4-inch “grapefruit-sized” tumor growing inside her.
Although the initial treatment seemed successful, the cancer has returned and spread throughout her body.
When Kasia Szczech, who lives in London, started experiencing frequent illnesses after eating last September, she assumed a virus had emerged
However, the 41-year-old went to her GP when her symptoms did not improve. The test results showed that the service support administrator had bile duct cancer and had a 10cm ‘grapefruit-sized’ tumor growing inside her
Ms Szczech said: ‘I was just sick and throwing up so I thought it was a virus or a food intolerance.
‘I thought it was a stomach flu. I thought it was that simple.’
In October 2022, Ms Szczech visited her about her symptoms.
She asked the GP for a referral but then went private with Bupa and she did blood tests, MRIs, ultrasounds and a biopsy.
After initial checks yielded abnormal results, doctors told Ms Szczech to “prepare for the worst option” and that the situation was “serious.”
The November results showed she had bile duct cancer.
She said: ‘The doctor said the cancer cells had been confirmed and I would start treatment immediately. (They said) I am young and have a strong body.
‘After that I could hardly hear what the doctor said because all I knew in my head was that it was cancer.’
About 2,200 Britons and 8,000 Americans are diagnosed with cancer every year.
The cancer originates in the bile ducts – small tubes that connect various organs, including the liver and gallbladder.
Nausea and being sick, along with other symptoms that affect digestion – such as stomach pain, loss of appetite and unintentional weight loss – are signs.
The tumor can also cause the whites of the eyes and skin to become yellow, itchy skin, and urine to be darker than normal.
Surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are among the usual treatments.
Despite her “shocking” diagnosis, Ms Szczech said she remained calm.
She started chemotherapy in December in an attempt to shrink the tumor.
Further tests two months later showed the mass had shrunk to less than half its size, with her family believing the ordeal was over.
She received chemotherapy until May and in June she started immunotherapy – a drug treatment that boosts the immune system to fight cancer cells.
But in September 2023, scans revealed ‘severe’ progression of her cancer.
Doctors said the cancer had spread throughout her body.
And it is believed that her original tumor has grown back to its former size, with more growths appearing all over her body, especially her lungs and bones.
It is unclear how much time she has left, according to her sister Gosia.
Ms Szczech’s ex-boyfriend, Justine Pearman, 50, has become her full-time carer, for which her family are ‘eternally’ grateful.
Although the initial treatment seemed successful, the cancer has returned and spread throughout her body. It is unclear how much time she has left, according to her sister Gosia (right).
Gosia (right) said: ‘We want to believe that Kasia will stay with us as long as possible. That there is a cure and a chance for her.”
Ms Szczech’s ex-boyfriend, Justine Pearman (left), 50, has become her full-time carer, for which her family are ‘eternally’ grateful
Gosia said: ‘He’s a really nice guy with a big heart and I’m glad he’s there to help as she can’t walk very well anymore so she needs to be carried a lot.
‘Kasia remains strong, but is quickly losing her hair and her focus is getting worse, as she cannot maintain attention for more than five minutes.
‘She is also starting to get pins and needles in her hands and feet and is sensitive to cold objects.’
Ms Szczech now undergoes chemotherapy every two weeks in the hope of reducing the spread of her cancer.
However, her sister has set up a GoFundMe in the hope of raising money for proton therapy – a form of radiotherapy – which costs up to £100,000.
The treatment – which knocks out cancer cells and protects nearby healthy cells – is available on the NHS at clinics in Manchester and London.
The health agency says it is only suitable for rare cancers or those that are close to vulnerable parts of the body, such as those that develop in the head or neck.
Gosia said: ‘We want to believe that Kasia will stay with us as long as possible. That there is a cure and a chance for her.
‘We have not received any information from Kasia’s doctors that this therapy will help. To be honest, we didn’t get any information from them.
“So we’re looking for all options that can help.”
The fundraiser has raised around £2,000 of the initial £20,000 target.
Gosia said: ‘We are still waiting to see how she responds to chemotherapy, but this will be life-changing – and saving.
‘At the moment, however, it’s all a matter of waiting.
‘I would do anything to get this terrible disease away from her and it is very difficult to express my emotions. I’m a mix of angry and sad.
“But she’s strong and I know this won’t be the end for her, so I’m trying to do everything I can to push away all the negativity.
“I always thought we’d grow old together – and that’s still my plan.”