A woman who received a cancer diagnosis in 2022 has explained how she 'saved her own life' after pushing doctors for answers regarding unexplained syptoms.
Cancer has been on the rise in younger people for the past few years, and much research is going into uncovering why this worrying trend is happening.
While many had the assumption in the past that the deadly disease mostly impacted older adults, that is certainly not the case nowadays.
Haley was meant to be living her best life in Los Angeles in her 20s when she noticed some unusual syptoms.
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She told The Patient Story that she began by suffering from digestive issues, to the point where problems at the loo were persistent.
Years of discomfort and frustration followed as Haley knew something wasn't quite right. And after a family history of cancer, particularly on her mother's side, Haley insisted she received some answers.
She was first taken down for an ultrasound and immediately the doctor discovered a tumor, which was then confirmed by cancer specialists.
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Haley had been diagnosed with pancreatic neuroendocrine, a 'rare type of cancer that starts as a growth of cells in the pancreas', according to the Mayo Clinic.
The health sites continues: "The pancreas is a long, flat gland that sits behind the stomach. It makes enzymes and hormones that help digest food.
"Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors start from the hormone-producing cells in the pancreas. These cells are called islet cells. Another term for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor is islet cell cancer."
Mayo Clinic went on to explain that symptoms of the cancer include heartburn, weakness, fatigue, muscle cramps, indigestion, diarrhea, weight loss, skin rash, constipation and pain in the abdomen or back.
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Haley admitted it was crucial the time the cancer was caught.
She said: "I felt like I saved my own life in a way. Not to toot my own horn, but that's the first reaction I had. Thank goodness I was able to catch it when I did, because if I didn't, who knows where I would be if I hadn't spoke up to my doctor and demanded to be throughly checked out."
While the worry of the cancer coming back remains, Haley is now free of the disease after undergoing an operation.
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Haley underwent the Whipple procedure, an operation to treat treat tumors and other serious conditions in the pancreas, small intestine and bile ducts.
The complicated procedure involves the head of the pancreas, the first part of the small intestine, the gallbladder and the bile duct being removed.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact the American Cancer Society on 1-800-227-2345 or via their live chat feature, available 24/7 every day of the year.
Callum Jones