A mother who suffered with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) for decades has been given just months to live after being diagnosed with bowel cancer. Ruth Lloyd-Williams, 61, a businesswoman from Llandudno, was first diagnosed with bowel cancer in February 2025 after a routine GP appointment. She was initially told she had five years to live, but after various treatments, she received the devastating news that she only had months to live.
Despite the prognosis, Ruth is determined to witness the birth of her grandchild in September and is undergoing a new treatment she hopes will extend her life. She has also made plans for her funeral, including being cremated in her wedding dress and having her ashes scattered in her back garden.
Ruth has suffered from IBS symptoms since childhood, including stomach pain, bloating, and irregular bowel movements. She said her symptoms were never thoroughly investigated and she was simply left to 'live with it'. In January 2025, she booked a check-up after noticing a change in her bowel habits, leading to a colonoscopy and the discovery of a 6cm tumour.
She was told the cancer was treatable but not curable, and she required a stoma. Further scans revealed the cancer had spread to her liver, reducing her prognosis to months. Despite this, Ruth remains positive, stating: 'Cancer hates positivity. I am full of hope and do believe that miracles do happen.'
