Mum's Cancer Symptoms Dismissed as Piles: Stage 4 Diagnosis After Repeated Doctor Visits
A mother-of-two who was repeatedly told she was 'too young' to have cancer says doctors dismissed her symptoms as piles before she was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer that had already spread to her liver. Amber Kissell, 45, says her nightmare began shortly after the birth of her daughter in late 2015, when she noticed worrying changes in her body.
Initial Symptoms and Medical Dismissals
At the time, Amber, who is mum to Connor, 18, and daughter Isabella, 10, initially attributed the symptoms to pregnancy after-effects. "At first I saw blood and went to my primary care doctor, who said it was a fissure," Amber explained. "But in the back of my mind, I felt like something wasn't right."
Still concerned, Amber booked an appointment with a colorectal specialist, but was again reassured it was nothing serious. "He told me I had haemorrhoids and sent me on my way," she said. However, the bleeding persisted relentlessly.
Persistent Concerns and Age-Based Dismissal
Over the following months, Amber, from Indiana, returned to the same specialist twice more as her symptoms continued. Each visit yielded the same dismissive response. "I went back again and again because the blood was still there," she recalled. "Before I left the third visit, I even asked, 'Are you sure I don't have cancer?' He said, 'No, you're too young.'"
Looking back, Amber, who was 35 at the time, acknowledges she wishes she had pushed harder for answers. "I should have gone for another opinion right then," she admitted. "But I was in denial. Nobody wants to believe they could be seriously ill."
Worsening Condition and Emergency
Nearly ten months passed with her condition quietly deteriorating. Amber began experiencing alarming symptoms including:
- Dizziness when standing
- Blurred vision
- Constant fatigue
- Severe bloating
"I would wake up in the morning feeling like I had a hangover even though I hadn't been drinking," she described. "I just felt unwell all the time."
The turning point came during a frightening episode at work. "When I stood up in the bathroom, I had this strange rush from my head to my feet," she said. "I called my mum and my husband, Paul, and said, 'I need to go to the ER, something isn't right.'"
Devastating Diagnosis and Treatment Journey
Before heading to hospital, Amber learned she had finally been booked for a colonoscopy two days later. When she woke from the procedure, her worst fears were confirmed. "The doctor said, 'Well, it does look like you have cancer,'" she recalled.
Further scans brought devastating news: the cancer was already stage 4 and had spread to her liver. Amber was just 36 years old. "I still remember that phone call and exactly where I was standing," she said. "When they told me it was stage four, it was like my whole world stopped."
The mother was forced to confront the terrifying possibility she might not survive. "I honestly thought I was going to die," Amber revealed. "It was like an out-of-body experience."
Determined to fight, she sought opinions from three different oncologists before choosing the doctor who showed her the most compassion. "He told me he didn't have a magic wand and didn't know if chemo would work," she said. "But he treated me like family, and that mattered."
Remarkable Recovery and Ongoing Advocacy
Amber underwent twelve gruelling rounds of chemotherapy. Against significant odds, the treatment proved successful. "It killed every cancer cell in my body," she explained. "My liver tumours disappeared, my colon tumour shrank and the lymph nodes cleared."
She later underwent surgery on her sigmoid colon, with results confirming no remaining cancer in the removed tissue. Remarkably, her liver never required surgical intervention. Now nearly nine years from her diagnosis, Amber remains in remission, though the emotional impact persists.
"The scan anxiety never fully goes away," she admitted. "It has gotten better over the years, but it's still there."
Urgent Warning About Rising Colon Cancer Cases
Today, Amber shares her journey on social media platforms, urging others—particularly younger adults—not to ignore warning signs. "Colon cancer is now one of the leading causes of cancer death in people under 50," she emphasized.
"I was just 36 in 2017 when I was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer, and in the years since, nearly every person I've met with this disease has also been under fifty."
While routine screening is generally recommended from age 45 for those at average risk, Amber believes symptoms should always be taken seriously regardless of age. "Screening really should happen for anyone who has symptoms," she warned.
Key warning signs include:
- Blood in the stool
- Ongoing abdominal discomfort
- Changes in bowel habits
- Unexplained weight loss
Final Message of Self-Advocacy
Her message to others is clear and urgent. "If you notice any of these, please don't ignore them," she implored. "And if a doctor dismisses your concerns because of your age or lack of family history, seek a second opinion. You have to advocate for yourself. You could save your life."
While researchers continue investigating why colon cancer cases are rising among younger adults, Amber hopes her story will encourage proactive health measures. "I don't know why cases are rising in younger people," she acknowledged. "But I do know this: when colon cancer is caught early, it is often treatable. Don't delay. Make the appointment."
For Amber, the experience has permanently altered her perspective on life. "Tomorrow isn't promised for anyone," she reflected. "I just take it day by day."
Her final plea remains simple yet profoundly heartfelt: "Don't make excuses. Don't wait. If something feels off, go get checked."
