A Midland woman diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer after suffering constipation for two weeks has been refused surgery due to the risks involved.
Vicky McLoughlin, aged 66, received her diagnosis in November 2024. Her daughter, Chloe McLoughlin, 33, first became concerned when she noticed her mother “wasn’t herself” and later discovered that Vicky had been struggling to use the toilet for a fortnight.
Following the appearance of bleeding, Vicky underwent an endoscopy which initially failed to reveal any abnormalities. However, after Chloe took her mother to the Accident and Emergency department, a scan revealed a mass near her cervical area. A biopsy subsequently confirmed the presence of cancer, with doctors determining the tumour originated in her bowels before spreading locally.
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Due to infections and fluid build-up caused by the tumour creating a tear in both her bowel and cervical regions, medical professionals deemed Vicky unsuitable for surgery. Instead, she was treated with two rounds of chemotherapy.
Chloe appealed to medical teams at Solihull Hospital and St Mark’s Hospital in London to reconsider surgical intervention to remove the tumour, but both hospitals declined, citing excessive risk. There were concerns that Vicky might lose a leg and that surgery could lead to a decline in her quality of life.
Correspondence from the doctors expressed “significant concerns” about how Vicky would handle the surgery and stated that it would not be “in her best interests”. However, her family contends that her quality of life has already been severely compromised, requiring hospital visits every two weeks.
Chloe, who runs a dog walking business in Tamworth, said: “It was a lot to process when she was diagnosed. We never expected to be where we are now. The only way to cure her is through surgery.”
“A hospital in London, and one in Solihull both refused. They said it was too major a procedure and she could lose her leg – with concerns about her surviving the surgery at her age. They claimed she’d have a better quality of life without surgery, but to me, that’s not the case. She’s back in hospital constantly; it’s torture. It’s a living nightmare.”
Vicky’s tumour has so far remained confined to her bladder, bowel, and cervical area, but infections caused by the tumour’s impact can trigger sepsis. Chloe explained: “When the tumour broke through, it caused a hole in the bowels and cervical area, leading to infections. She’s had multiple drains for fluid collections, four in the last two years, and required surgery for a stoma bag. The most recent fluid was too thick to drain normally and was putting pressure on her kidneys. She had to undergo surgery to have tubes inserted through her kidneys to drain urine.”
“Now, she doesn’t go to the toilet at all. She was once in a strong position, but I don’t know how she’s still alive today. She has had sepsis five times in the past two years and has it frequently now. Her condition means she cannot have further treatment.”
A spokesperson for University Hospitals Birmingham, which manages Solihull Hospital, stated: “We have great sympathy for Mrs McLoughlin and her family during this difficult and distressing time. Decisions regarding radical cancer surgery are complex and made with utmost care. Any advice given is based on a thorough assessment of potential benefits and risks and is coordinated by a multi-disciplinary team prioritising patient safety and best interests.”
London North West University Healthcare Trust declined to comment on individual patient cases.