Woman 'told she had IBS' now 'doing her bucket list before it's too late'

THE family of a woman who claims her rare and aggressive cancer was twice dismissed by doctors is urging people to keep pushing when they know something is wrong.

- By STEVEN SMITH [e-mail] @SurreyLive

Lauren Carey, 30, is trying to work her way through her 'bucket list' after finding out her condition - squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder - is untreatable.

Her sister Megan Carey, 28, is now calling on others who are unsure about their health diagnoses to get a second, third or fourth opinion - after Lauren was initially "dismissed".

She said: "The doctors could definitely have done better. They have been awful. Lauren wanted to complain, but it is not worth it now because it takes years and she won't be here to see the outcome. If something is not right with your body just push and push, don't let the doctors fob you off."

Lauren, a former supermarket duty manager, from Banstead, Surrey, was born with a rare condition called bladder exstrophy, which meant her bladder formed outside of her body. The condition was fixed, but her bladder continued to release on its own and, aged just eight, she had her first major surgery to fit a catheter, which she has been using ever since.

Lauren was then diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder three years ago - a rare and aggressive cancer caused by her long-term catheter use. Surgeons removed her bladder and replaced it with a stoma and the family said they were reassured this surgery would mean the cancer could not spread.