Warning: This article contains discussion of cancer which some readers may find distressing.
The family of a man who has been diagnosed with incurable cancer has issued a stark warning after he was turned away from doctors countless times.
Kev Coles, from Stoke-on-Trent, UK, was diagnosed with bowel cancer in September 2024.
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The 46-year-old had been suffering with some stomach pain in the lead up to his diagnosis, sparking his wife Kayleigh to get him to go to the doctors.
This was in July 2024, but Kayleigh said they turned her spouse away.
They initially thought that Kev had gallstones or some kind of constipation - but the pain continued to persist, so they kept going back.
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The following month, Kev's condition got drastically worse and he started sweating 'like he was under a shower' and his skin turned yellow.
"He started to sweat like someone was tipping water over him and when he looked at me I noticed that he had gone completely yellow," Kayleigh recalled. "Then he just vomited."
Following weeks of insisting on an immediate scan, Kev received his devastating diagnosis after doctors found a nine centimetre tumour in his bowel.
The scan also showed that the cancer had spread to his liver, which was causing his yellow skin.
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The dad-of-seven started chemotherapy in October but, having now suffered liver failure, he has been told that he only has 'weeks to a few months to live' and is receiving end of life care at home.
In the wake of the sad outcome of Kev's illness, Kayleigh has urged others who might be worried about a stomachache to be persistent when seeking medical attention.
She said: "It is so upsetting that he was sent away countless times with laxatives.
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"It has been a whirlwind since the diagnosis. It is just such a shame that it wasn’t found sooner.
"It should have been taken more seriously when he first came in with stomach pain. It was a silly mistake, and a deadly one."
Kayleigh continued: "It is now incurable. There isn’t anything that can be done to save him. I am having to lose my best friend because people didn’t listen to him.
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"There needs to be more awareness. If you have a stomachache then get it checked out, and please don’t feel that you are being overbearing."
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust said: "We would encourage Mr Coles to speak to our Patient Advice and Liaison Team to raise any concerns about care at UHNM so we can fully investigate."
The family have set up a GoFundMe for Kev, which has so far raised over £2,200.
The money raised will go towards new clothes for Kev in light of his drastic weight loss, as well making adaptions to their home to make it more comfortable for him.
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You can donate to the page here.
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.
Niamh Shackleton