A woman had to be rushed into emergency surgery for cancer which doctors brushed off for months - one of whom claimed she had an eating disorder.
Charlie Pulpett became worried after noticing she was dramatically losing her appetite and weight and began suffering bowel problems in May 2019.
The 45-year-old was also experiencing a tender abdomen, stomach pain and bloating at the time - all classic red flags for colon cancer.
But despite taking her concerns to doctors, Charlie's symptoms fell on deaf ears for months with one GP even suggesting she had anorexia.
Now an investigation by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) has found these symptoms should have prompted urgent attention, after Charlie ended up needing two thirds of her colon removed due to a growing tumour.
Charlie, from Yeovil, Somerset, was rushed to hospital in April 2020 after vomiting blood and faeces while clapping for the NHS workers outside her home mid-lockdown.
At this point, doctors had carried out several tests, but none of these had been for colon cancer, Liverpool ECHO reports.
Medics at Yeovil Hospital told Charlie she had colon cancer and operated on her, inserting a stoma bag which allows waste to exit her body through another opening in the abdomen.
"I kept going back to the practice and they just fobbed me off," said Charlie, who said the experience had left her with PTSD and feeling unable to trust doctors.
"They didn’t listen to me at all. I saw a different doctor each time, one of whom suggested I had anorexia and was in denial."
Charlie, whose cancer is now in remission, complained to the PHSO who investigate unresolved complaints about the NHS.
The Ombudsman’s investigation, which included seeking advice from an independent GP, found staff at the practice should have suspected cancer and referred Charlie for further investigation within two weeks.
If Charlie had been referred appropriately, she would have had a planned keyhole procedure, rather than unnecessary emergency surgery and a stoma, it said.
She also would not have needed a further operation a year later to remove the stoma, the investigation concluded.
The Ombudsman recommended the surgery pay Charlie £2,950 for its failures and put in place an action plan to prevent this from happening in the future.
Charlie said: “I’ve got a second chance and I’m thankful for that, but it’s had a huge effect on my life.
"I still experience severe lack of sleep and restlessness, and I’m constantly living in fear that any health issue will turn into something worse.
"My confidence and self-esteem are through the floor and I have problems trusting anyone.
"I don’t want this to happen to anybody else, which is why I took my complaint to the Ombudsman.
"I have to fight not just for myself but for other people too.
"Everyone needs to listen to their bodies. I knew something was wrong but I listened to the professionals who told me everything was okay.
"If you’re worried, demand things are checked out and get a second opinion if you need it."
Ombudsman Rob Behrens said: "Charlie was failed by the professionals who she went to for help and the effect on her life has been significant.
"Not only did she have to undergo unnecessary surgery, but it has also affected her emotional wellbeing.
"We cannot change what happened but it’s important that when mistakes are made, organisations acknowledge what has happened and commit to learning from these mistakes to prevent it from happening again."
