Florence Wilde, a baby girl from Stourbridge, was diagnosed with a rare form of childhood cancer after her symptoms were initially mistaken for constipation. At just one year old, Florence began to experience a swelling stomach, persistent illness, and fatigue, prompting her parents, Anna Chattaway and Dom Wilde, both aged 32, to seek medical advice.
Despite their concerns, the family were repeatedly told by their GP that Florence’s symptoms were due to constipation. She was prescribed laxatives, which caused significant distress and discomfort. Anna recalls the frustration of forcing the medication upon Florence, whose condition did not improve. “For three weeks, we were back and forth to the GP, told repeatedly it was constipation,” Anna explained.
Even as Florence’s tummy continued to expand and she endured severe pain that prevented her from sleeping independently, the initial diagnosis remained unchanged. A doctor reportedly said, “Let’s address the elephant in the room, we don’t think it’s cancer,” providing little reassurance to the worried parents.
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Concerned by the lack of improvement, Anna insisted on further investigation. A blood test was finally conducted, revealing abnormal results that led to an urgent referral to the Paediatric Assessment Unit. Upon examination, a different doctor could feel unusual lumps and bumps in Florence’s abdomen, contradicting earlier assumptions.
In November 2024, Florence was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a rare cancer arising from immature nerve cells usually affecting children under five. The tumour discovered in her abdomen measured an alarming 30cm and weighed approximately 2kg-nearly 15% of Florence’s own body weight of 13kg. This diagnosis came just a month after her first birthday, following a period where Florence had suffered multiple illnesses and infections.
Florence underwent surgery at Birmingham Children’s Hospital to remove the majority of the tumour, followed by emergency chemotherapy. Despite initial beliefs that the cancer was localised, scans in January 2025 revealed metastatic disease, with spread to her spine. Subsequent treatments included high-dose chemotherapy and five cycles of immunotherapy.
Anna reflected on the rapid growth of the tumour and the challenges they faced, expressing regret over the delayed diagnosis. “We look back now, how did we think she was constipated when her stomach was massive? We have so much anger because if she had been seen properly the first time we went to the GP, we could have caught this sooner.”
The family is now raising £100,000 to fund a relapse prevention treatment known as DFMO, which was withdrawn from the NHS just before Florence became eligible. This treatment, recently introduced to the UK in 2024, is not currently part of NHS protocol but has been chosen by the family to help prevent recurrence.
Throughout her treatment, Florence has remained a lively and resilient child, giving hope to her family and inspiring others facing similar battles. Anna emphasised the importance of awareness and advocacy, noting that many families have experienced delays in diagnosis or dismissal of symptoms.
Neuroblastoma remains an uncommon but serious childhood cancer. The Wilde family’s experience highlights the critical need for thorough assessment when young children present with unexplained symptoms.
Those wishing to support Florence’s ongoing treatment can visit the family’s fundraising page at gofundme.com/f/75kn3h-fearless-florence