Woman Diagnosed with Stage 4 Cancer at 27 After 10-Month Hospital Referral Wait
Tamara Mulley, now 29, received a devastating stage 4 cholangiocarcinoma diagnosis just before Christmas in 2023, following a protracted 10-month wait for a hospital referral. Initially visiting her GP in February 2023 with complaints of bloating and hip discomfort, she was referred to a gynaecologist under suspicion of conditions like endometriosis.
Delayed Diagnosis and Escalating Symptoms
By the time her gynaecology appointment arrived in December 2023, Tamara had developed severe symptoms including a persistent cough, extreme exhaustion, and significant weight loss. She described feeling "helpless" upon learning in January 2024 that she had "two years to live," a prognosis she has since surpassed, marking a pivotal moment in her battle.
Reflecting on her health history, Tamara recalled first experiencing bloating at age 16, which she had discussed with medical professionals multiple times over the years. When hip pain and fatigue emerged abruptly in January 2023, she initially attributed it to a gym injury. As the pain worsened without improvement, she pursued physiotherapy and secured the gynaecology referral, but was not informed about potential waiting times.
Critical Turning Points and Medical Investigations
Over the following months, Tamara chased the appointment repeatedly as her pain intensified, necessitating an emergency GP visit in October for pain relief. In December, her symptoms escalated dramatically, leading to breathlessness and a visit to A&E. An X-ray revealed a "little shadow," prompting further investigation with a CT scan.
"It was at that appointment that I started to think that this could be something like cancer," Tamara admitted. Her suspicions grew when she was directed to The Cancer Centre at Guy's Hospital in London for a PET scan, though she was reassured it might not indicate cancer. Concurrently, her long-awaited gynaecology appointment was scheduled, but she opted to continue with the ongoing cancer investigations.
Devastating Diagnosis and Treatment Journey
On December 23, 2023, scans confirmed stage 4 cancer that had spread to her hip, spine, collarbone, lungs, and liver. "When I saw [the scans], it lit up like a Christmas tree. It was just kind of everywhere," she recalled. Doctors identified the cancer as cholangiocarcinoma, originating from the bile duct, and deemed it incurable.
Tamara began immunotherapy and chemotherapy, responding positively to treatment, which was extended to 15 rounds. Despite severe exhaustion requiring blood transfusions, she managed to retain her hair and continue activities she enjoyed. When chemotherapy lost effectiveness, she enrolled in a clinical trial named First-308, a targeted treatment that has started to shrink certain tumours.
Advocacy and Hope for the Future
Tamara has become a vocal advocate, supported by AMMF, the UK's only charity dedicated to cholangiocarcinoma research. She emphasizes that early detection at stages one or two can be survivable, contrasting with the current reality where two-thirds of patients in England receive no cancer treatment, according to NHS England data.
"Passing that two-year mark was a real moment for me and one that I'm really proud of achieving," Tamara stated. "My ultimate hope is for a cure to be found. I'm realistic about my situation, but I choose to remain positive." She will engage with MPs and NHS leaders at a Rethink Liver Cancer meeting on February 25, pushing for improved access to timely treatments.
