‘COMPLETE SHOCK’
Mum diagnosed with ‘incurable’ cancer after blaming only symptom on ‘being vegetarian’
Plus, the red flag warning signs of the cancer to look out for
A MUM'S incurable cancer was diagnosed after a telltale sign appeared during a blood donor session.
Jenny Garner, 41, was told she had dangerously low iron levels after going to give blood.
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After going to her GP for advice she was sent for more tests which revealed she had bowel cancer.
The mum-of-three underwent surgery to remove the tumour, part of her bowel, and the surrounding lymph nodes.
But in February, she got the devastating news her cancer had spread to the lymph nodes behind the stomach too, and is now "incurable".
The family are now fundraising for alternative treatments in the hope it still might be possible to cure it using drugs and methods not available on the NHS.
Read more on bowel cancer
Jenny, a community carer for the elderly, from Stockport, Greater Manchester, said: "When I went to donate, the blood droplet didn't sink fully, which was an indicator of low iron, but I had just enough to donate.
"I just assumed it's because I'm a vegetarian, and that's what the doctors seemed to think too - I was told not to worry.
"That evening, I felt really ill, tired, struggling to breathe and sluggish but I put it down to having just given blood.
"So when I was diagnosed, it came as a complete shock. It was totally surreal - and it was all a bit of a blur.
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"My husband is very passionate about finding an alternative treatment for me - just to prolong my life, if not to cure me.
"I'm naturally a stressy person but that doesn't help, so I've had to change my mindset to stay positive.
Man, 34, with incurable bowel cancer shared two symptoms he ignored
"It's hard even now to believe that this is happening to me - but I'm not giving up."
After giving blood in September 2024, staff recommended she visit her GP for supplements.
Her doctor said she'd had low iron levels since December 2023.
They sent her for another blood test and the results showed her iron levels had dropped even lower - leading them to suspect she was struggling with internal bleeding.
Jenny had a faecal immunochemical test (FIT) which came back positive - and she was placed on a two week cancer pathway.
She said a member of staff told her, "I don't think for a second you have cancer, you have no symptoms but we need to rule it out".
They found some polyps for removal and then this angry red thing - it was bleeding. I asked what it was and they said they'll discuss it with me later. I knew then it wasn't good
Jenny Garner
Jenny underwent a colonoscopy in November 2024.
She said: "They found some polyps for removal and then this angry red thing - it was bleeding.
"I asked what it was and they said they'll discuss it with me later. I knew then it wasn't good."
Jenny was told she had bowel cancer 30 minutes later.
'Not something you expect at 41'
But Jenny had to wait until January 2025 for a surgery to remove the tumour, because of delays waiting for various other scans.
The operation was successful but Jenny began to experience pain in February - which she thought could be her kidneys.
A CT scan showed enlarged lymph nodes behind her stomach which, due to their location, was deemed inoperable.
Jenny said: "I don't remember really reacting, I was stunned.
"My husband was so upset - this is not something you expect at 41, to be told you haven't got long left.
"My first thoughts were my children."
My first thoughts were my children
Jenny Garner
Jenny and her husband Mike, 46, a Royal Navy officer, are now trying to make the most of the time they have left with their children - Isabelle, 14, Thomas, 11 and Charlotte, ten.
Jenny said: "It's been really hard, Mike has taken it worse. In his job he solves problems.
"If there's a problem he can't solve, he finds it really difficult. He has done nothing but non-stop research to see what could help."
Currently Jenny is undergoing fortnightly chemotherapy sessions and will have another scan in eight to 12 weeks to assess progress.
Jenny has also looked into alternative treatments - which are not available on the NHS - in the hope of helping her, and her family have set up a fundraiser to help fund it.
These include taking melatonin, which is currently used to tackle sleep problems, and ivermectin, which is used to treat parasitic diseases.
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Neither are listed on the NHS website as being a treatment for cancer.
Ivermectin has formed part of research into cancer treatments in Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Bengbu Medical College, China.
Melatonin has been assessed as a potential cancer treatment by researchers at Applied Science Private University, Jordan.
Jenny said: "It's frustrating.
"I'm not the only person, I'm 41, I'm not old and I've got three young children.
"The fact the NHS has turned around and said there's nothing they can do and they don't have the money for treatment that may help me is frustrating."
Family, friends and strangers have donated £10,400 in just three weeks.
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Jenny said: "For anyone to donate, even a stranger, it just restores your faith in humanity."
To donate to Jenny's, GoFundMe .
What are the red flag warning signs of bowel cancer?
IT'S the fourth most common cancer in the UK, the second deadliest - yet bowel cancer can be cured, if you catch it early enough.
While screening is one way of ensuring early diagnosis, there are things everyone can do to reduce their risk of the deadly disease.
Being aware of the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer, spotting any changes and checking with your GP can prove a life-saver.
If you notice any of the signs, don't be embarrassed and don't ignore them. Doctors are used to seeing lots of patients with bowel problems.
The five red-flag symptoms of bowel cancer include:
- Bleeding from the back passage, or blood in your poo
- A change in your normal toilet habits - going more frequently for example
- Pain or a lump in your tummy
- Extreme tiredness
- Losing weight
Tumours in the bowel typically bleed, which can cause a shortage of red blood cells, known as anaemia. It can cause tiredness and sometimes breathlessness.
In some cases bowel cancer can block the bowel, this is known as a bowel obstruction.
Other signs include:
- Gripping pains in the abdomen
- Feeling bloated
- Constipation and being unable to pass wind
- Being sick
- Feeling like you need to strain - like doing a number two - but after you've been to the loo
While these are all signs to watch out for, experts warn the most serious is noticing blood in your stools.
But, they warn it can prove tricky for doctors to diagnose the disease, because in most cases these symptoms will be a sign of a less serious disease.
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