Health and Me

Rachel V Thomas

This Man Made 24 Doctor Visits for Back and Leg Pain, Died 12 Days After Cancer Diagnosis

In a shocking case highlighting delayed diagnosis, a UK-based man visited doctors 24 times in a year for persistent back and leg pain but was repeatedly dismissed. He died just 12 days after being diagnosed with <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/cancer">cancer</a>.

The symptoms of 61-year-old Nigel began with lower back and leg pain. As the cancer spread across his body, he suffered from indigestion and severe weight loss. His doctors ignored his symptoms and could not even pinpoint the exact cancer till his death.

It was only a week after his death that the doctors were able to find that Nigel had pancreatic <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/cancer">cancer</a> — a type of cancer that often goes undiagnosed due to a lack of early detection tests, said his wife, Liv Williams, writing in an essay for Metro.co.uk.

“Nigel saw a healthcare professional 24 times, and even then, we didn't know it was pancreatic cancer. If something like the breath test had been available, maybe Nigel could have had treatment to give him more time with us,” Liv explained. 

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/former-us-senator-ben-sasse-opens-up-about-battle-with-terminal-stage-4-pancreatic-cancer-article-154042531" data-type="tilCustomLink">Former US Senator Ben Sasse Opens Up About Battle With Terminal Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer</a>

Nigel, a father of three, began experiencing lower back and leg pain in early 2023.  Liv said that his primary care doctor referred him to a physiotherapist, but the wait took months and his condition worsened. He also developed serious indigestion.

“From March to June, Nigel sought medical advice, and each time he was sent away, either empty-handed or with medication for pain or indigestion,” she said. 

Thinking the pain must be related to a spinal issue, the family paid out-of-pocket for an MRI. The lumbar spine MRI scan revealed nothing. 

"But what is it then?, we asked in frustration numerous times; always to be told it would get better on its own," Liv wrote in the essay.

By July, Nigel could not stand the pain, and Liv was forced to take him to the Emergency Room (ER). 

“His painful leg was getting thinner and thinner, like it was wasting away, and the pain was unbearable,” she said. Nigel lost significant weight, struggled to eat, relied on crutches, and could not sleep due to constant pain.

“Just before Christmas, I demanded a blood test from his GP – but three weeks later, a few days before the scheduled tests, Nigel couldn't urinate, which left him in agony,” she added. A visit to the ER was unfruitful as they had to rush back due to his pain.

The next time they visited the hospital, Nigel "screamed with pain", and seeing this, "a nurse promptly set him up on a bed with an IV". 

The next day, the doctors informed Liv that Nigel had cancer. But as it had metastasized so much that his doctors could not pinpoint the exact cancer.  

In just 12 days on February 9, 2024, Nigel died surrounded by his family.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/iran-israel-war-benjamin-netanyahu-undergoes-treatment-for-early-stage-prostate-cancer-symptoms-you-should-not-ignore-article-154164576" data-type="tilCustomLink">Benjamin Netanyahu Undergoes Treatment For Early-stage Prostate Cancer: Symptoms You Should Not Ignore</a>

What Is Pancreatic Cancer? Know The Warning Signs

Pancreatic cancer has long been one of the toughest challenges in oncology. With a five-year survival rate hovering around 13 percent and recurrence rates approaching 80 percent after treatment, the odds have historically been stacked against patients.

The prevention and early detection remain vital.

Experts warn that pancreatic cancer often masquerades as common ailments, delaying diagnosis. Here are some early symptoms that should never be ignored:

<ul><li>Abdominal or back pain that worsens over time or eases when leaning forward.</li><li>Unexplained weight loss without changes in diet or exercise.</li><li>Jaundice, including yellowing of the eyes and skin, sometimes with intense itching.</li><li>Changes to urine or stool, such as dark urine or pale, greasy stools.</li><li>New-onset diabetes without obvious risk factors.</li><li>Persistent fatigue unrelated to poor sleep or lifestyle</li></ul>These symptoms often appear in combination and warrant immediate medical attention — particularly for those with a family history of pancreatic cancer.

Health Conditions A-Z

health

pancreatic cancer

pain

cancer

leg pain

body pain

weight loss

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In a shocking case highlighting delayed diagnosis, a UK-based man visited doctors 24 times in a year for persistent back and leg pain but was repeatedly dismissed. He died just 12 days after being diagnosed with cancer.  The symptoms of 61-year-old Nigel began with lower back and leg pain. As the cancer spread across his body, he suffered from indigestion and severe weight loss. His doctors ignored his symptoms and could not even pinpoint the exact cancer till his death.  It was only a week after his death that the doctors were able to find that Nigel had pancreatic cancer — a type of cancer that often goes undiagnosed due to a lack of early detection tests, said his wife, Liv Williams, writing in an essay for Metro.co.uk.“Nigel saw a healthcare professional 24 times, and even then, we didn't know it was pancreatic cancer. If something like the breath test had been available, maybe Nigel could have had treatment to give him more time with us,” Liv explained. Also read: Former US Senator Ben Sasse Opens Up About Battle With Terminal Stage 4 Pancreatic CancerNigel, a father of three, began experiencing lower back and leg pain in early 2023.  Liv said that his primary care doctor referred him to a physiotherapist, but the wait took months and his condition worsened. He also developed serious indigestion.“From March to June, Nigel sought medical advice, and each time he was sent away, either empty-handed or with medication for pain or indigestion,” she said.  Thinking the pain must be related to a spinal issue, the family paid out-of-pocket for an MRI. The lumbar spine MRI scan revealed nothing. "But what is it then?, we asked in frustration numerous times; always to be told it would get better on its own," Liv wrote in the essay.By July, Nigel could not stand the pain, and Liv was forced to take him to the Emergency Room (ER). “His painful leg was getting thinner and thinner, like it was wasting away, and the pain was unbearable,” she said. Nigel lost significant weight, struggled to eat, relied on crutches, and could not sleep due to constant pain.    “Just before Christmas, I demanded a blood test from his GP – but three weeks later, a few days before the scheduled tests, Nigel couldn't urinate, which left him in agony,” she added. A visit to the ER was unfruitful as they had to rush back due to his pain. The next time they visited the hospital, Nigel "screamed with pain", and seeing this, "a nurse promptly set him up on a bed with an IV". The next day, the doctors informed Liv that Nigel had cancer. But as it had metastasized so much that his doctors could not pinpoint the exact cancer.     In just 12 days on February 9, 2024, Nigel died surrounded by his family.Also read: Benjamin Netanyahu Undergoes Treatment For Early-stage Prostate Cancer: Symptoms You Should Not IgnoreWhat Is Pancreatic Cancer? Know The Warning SignsPancreatic cancer has long been one of the toughest challenges in oncology. With a five-year survival rate hovering around 13 percent and recurrence rates approaching 80 percent after treatment, the odds have historically been stacked against patients.The prevention and early detection remain vital.Experts warn that pancreatic cancer often masquerades as common ailments, delaying diagnosis. Here are some early symptoms that should never be ignored:Abdominal or back pain that worsens over time or eases when leaning forward.Unexplained weight loss without changes in diet or exercise.Jaundice, including yellowing of the eyes and skin, sometimes with intense itching.Changes to urine or stool, such as dark urine or pale, greasy stools.New-onset diabetes without obvious risk factors.Persistent fatigue unrelated to poor sleep or lifestyleThese symptoms often appear in combination and warrant immediate medical attention — particularly for those with a family history of pancreatic cancer.