Doctors ‘missed 13-year-old schoolgirl’s ovarian cancer TEN times’ before 12-inch tumour was finally found
GPs somehow missed a 12-inch tumour that weighed in at a staggering 12lbs - and had already spread to Kayleigh Donnelley's liver, spleen, bowel and pelvis
A MUM claims doctors mistook her 13-year-old daughter's ovarian cancer as constipation and that she was forced to seek medical help TEN times before the youngster was finally diagnosed.
The family of Kayleigh Donnelly, 13, claim she was just days from death when determined mum Lorraine, 38, dragged her to A&E after several GP meetings revealed nothing serious.
Specialists diagnosed her with developed ovarian cancer on the spot - making her one of the youngest cases ever recorded.
It is claimed GPs missed a 12-inch tumour that weighed in at a staggering 12lbs - and had already spread to her liver, spleen, bowel and pelvis.
Mum Lorraine : "The doctors told me that if I hadn’t taken her to A&E when I did then she wouldn’t be here today.
"She hadn’t been to the toilet in weeks and she was feeling poorly.
Mum Lorraine claims that doctors said Kayleigh was simply constipated, gave her laxatives and sent her home.
But the medication made no difference to the child's symptoms - forcing the family to contact their GP another nine times in person and on the phone.
Lorraine said: "Each time I was told the same thing – just to give her laxatives as she was constipated.
"She was constantly being sick and her stomach was getting bigger. Her skin was waxy and pale. I knew that something was really wrong with her."
The GP finally referred her to the Queen Victoria Centre in Morecambe for a scan - but medics sent her home after saying they didn't do scans for constipation.
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Lorraine took her to A&E the next day where she was finally diagnosed with cancer - and six months, several operations, and a gruelling course of chemotherapy later, Kayleigh is finally in remission.
She said: "I felt so ill, I didn’t really know what was going on. But my mum was crying her eyes out."
According to the Daily Mail, Dr David Walker, medical director at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, apologised on behalf of the Trust for any distress to Kayleigh and her family and said an investigation was being carried out.
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