A MUM tragically died just days after doctors found her ‘food poisoning’ was actually one of the UK’s deadliest cancers.

Sian Ashcroft passed away last year aged 35 just 18 days after she was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), a form of bile duct cancer.

For the 6,000 people in the UK who are newly diagnosed with the disease every year the prognosis is uniquely grim.

According to data from Cancer Research UK, up to 70 per cent of all these patients will die within just 12 months.

This is quite a stark figure, especially when all cancers are considered.

The one-year survival rate for all cancers is now over 70 per cent – making CCA one of the UK’s most deadly forms of the disease.

The mum-of-three from Ormskirk, in Lancashire, first noticed something was wrong in spring 2023 when she tried to donate blood and was told she was anaemic.

She started taking iron tablets, but by August, she began experiencing abdominal pain, which she initially dismissed as food poisoning.

When the pain continued, her GP referred her for hospital tests.

At first, she was told she probably had gallstones, small stones, usually made of cholesterol, that form in the gallbladder

But, as the pain worsened, she was admitted to hospital for surgery to insert a stent in her bile duct.

In early November 2023, at a follow-up appointment, Sian was told that she had a 2cm lesion on her liver and several smaller lesions that were concerning.

Although chemotherapy was discussed, Sian did not receive a CCA diagnosis for another two months, the BBC reported.

In January 2024, she was diagnosed with terminal CCA at Aintree University Hospital and told she had months to live. She died 18 days later.

CCA is a rare cancer that develops in the bile ducts, which connect the liver and gall bladder.

These small tubes begin in the liver and end in the small intestine.

They are essential for the digestive system, helping transport bile to break down fats.

The disease often hides until it’s advanced by which point it’s often inoperable – and therefore terminal. 

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“Sian’s prognosis was an incredible shock for everyone,” explained Sian’s mum, Sue Dowling, who also lives in Ormskirk.

“She had become increasingly poorly, with frequent visits to her GP and time spent in hospital, but her diagnosis came too late to save her.

“Despite this, she remained incredibly positive, she never lost her sense of humour, she was exceptionally brave and above all, she never stopped thinking about her family.”

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A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “Our thoughts are with Sian’s family and friends.

“We know that cancer survival is worse in this country than our peers, and that serious action is needed to improve patient care and save lives.”

‘People are often misdiagnosed with other conditions’

More awareness of this cancer and the diversity of people – and ages – at risk of developing it is urgently needed, explained Helen Morement, from the UK’s only Cholangiocarcinoma Charity, AMMF.

“Cholangiocarcinoma is no longer rare in many parts of the UK and cases in adults under the age of 65 are much more common than previously though,” she said.

“People often don’t act on symptoms immediately, or are misdiagnosed with other conditions when they do, because they don’t fit the profile of what many assume a ‘liver cancer patient’ should look like.

“But unlike the other more well-known type of primary liver cancer – Hepatocellular carcinoma – there isn’t an established link to liver cirrhosis, viral hepatitis, alcohol or other lifestyle factors.

“The cause of rising cases in otherwise healthy adults is not known”

Royal Liver Building being lit up purple in Sian’s memory this evening (February 20).

Sian’s sister, Lauren Dowling, and her son, Arthur, have launched a GoFundMe page to raise money for the AMMF charity in her memory.

To support the cause, they’re taking on a sponsored cold-water dip at Traeth Bychan beach in Anglesey – a place Sian loved visiting with her family.

“We have many happy memories from holidays to Anglesey. Sian loved to visit the beach with all the kids, and she would always spur others on to take a dip in the cold sea,” Lauren said.

“Arthur is struggling to understand the loss of his Auntie and we hope that doing this positive challenge will help his grieving process. All donations, however small, will be very gratefully received.”