FATAL MISTAKE
‘Beloved’ mum, 40, dies after doctors dismissed stomach cramps as IBS for years
Plus, in our exclusive video Dr Philippa Kaye shares everything you need to know about the deadly disease
A “BELOVED” mum died after doctors dismissed her symptoms as IBS for years, her devastated family have said.
Helen Dutton, 40, from Droylsden, Greater Manchester, was diagnosed with bowel cancer two years after she first went to her GP complaining of stomach cramps and bleeding.
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In that first visit in 2017, she had a blood test and was advised she had irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and was given medication, her partner Darren Rosheski, 52, said.
But when her symptoms continued to worsen, she went back and was finally diagnosed in January 2019, before tragically losing her life in August 2021.
Darren said watching her condition deteriorate was "unbearable" and he now has “so many unanswered questions” about if her cancer could have been found earlier.
The 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.
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"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.
"She was determined to fight the cancer with everything she had.
"Sadly, it wasn't enough and our beloved Helen was taken from us far too soon.”
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Bowel cancer is now the third most common cancer in Britain, with 41,596 Brits diagnosed in 2021.
It is the UK’s second deadliest cancer, claiming 16,000 lives each year.
However, nine in 10 patients survives it if diagnosed at the earliest stage, according to Bowel Cancer UK.
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Symptoms include changes to your poo, including unusual softness, diarrhoea, constipation, blood in the poo or from the bottom, needing to go more often or feeling like you need to even if you've just been.
Tummy pain, a lump in your tummy, bloating, losing weight without trying and feeling tired for no reason can also be signs of the disease.
The can be caused by other conditions and are common generally, according to the NHS, but you should see a GP if you have had these symptoms for three weeks or more.
The Sun’s No Time 2 Lose campaign, spearheaded by the late Dame Deborah James, called for earlier testing and treatments to improve survival rates in Britain - and resulted in the Government lowering the screening age from 60 to 50.
Helen, who was mum to Lilli-Mai, 17, was diagnosed after she was referred for a colonoscopy.
We have so many unanswered questions and while we would give anything to have Helen back, we know that's not possible
Darren Rosheski
After more tests, a tumour was discovered and Helen had radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgery which left her with a permanent stoma.
But in August 2020, the finance manager's cancer returned and spread, despite more chemotherapy.
Darren said: "She was the best mum to Lilli-Mai and to see our daughter having to navigate through life without her mum is heartbreaking.
"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.
"Watching Helen suffer towards the end was unbearable and catching the disease early could be the difference between life and death.
"If we can save another person by speaking out, it will have been worth it."
Grief 'made worse' by 'questionable care'
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.
Now she's passed away, Darren has continued her case.
Nicola Ashton, a specialist medical negligence lawyer, says the family's grief has been "made worse" because they have "concerns" about Helen's care.
She 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.
"Their grief has been made worse by questions and concerns they have over the care provided to Helen.
"We're now investigating whether more could have been done to help her.
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"The family also hope that by sharing Helen's story, they can make others aware of the signs to look out for when it comes to bowel cancer.
"Early detection and treatment is key to beating this disease."
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What are the symptoms of bowel cancer?
Symptoms of bowel cancer may include:
- changes in your poo, such as having softer poo, diarrhoea or constipation that is not usual for you
- needing to poo more or less often than usual for you
- blood in your poo, which may look red or black
- bleeding from your bottom
- often feeling like you need to poo, even if you've just been to the toilet
- tummy pain
- a lump in your tummy
- bloating
- losing weight without trying
- feeling very tired for no reason
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