Leah Kalkan's compelling journey highlights the severe repercussions of misdiagnosis and underscores the critical importance of self-advocacy in the healthcare system.
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Leah Kalkan, a 23-year-old student from West Yorkshire, experienced persistent lower back pain for two years, seeking answers from various healthcare providers. Despite her insistence that something was wrong, she was repeatedly told her discomfort was due to sciatica, typically caused by a slipped disc affecting the sciatic nerve.
However, the actual cause was far more serious than she anticipated.
In early 2023, a large lump, comparable to the size of a grapefruit, appeared on her lower back. Her partner quickly arranged for a private scan in Greece, which led to the shocking discovery of a tumor on her spine.
This resulted in a diagnosis of Ewing sarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer.
The struggle for a proper diagnosis
Leah first noticed troubling back pain in late 2021, which she initially managed with over-the-counter medications. As the pain intensified, she faced a distressing situation during a summer trip to Turkey in 2022, where she was largely confined to her hotel room due to excruciating pain.
Seeking help and facing challenges
Upon returning to the UK, Leah’s father arranged for an MRI scan, indicating a possible herniated disc. However, her symptoms persisted, prompting her to consult a private osteopath. The osteopath dismissed serious concerns, attributing her pain to a damaged tailbone, offering little relief or further investigation.
Throughout 2023, Leah’s frustration mounted as she continued to seek help from healthcare providers. She recalls calling an ambulance twice due to the severity of her pain, only to feel dismissed by medical professionals who attributed her symptoms to minor issues.
Turning point and diagnosis
The appearance of the grapefruit-sized lump in October 2023 heightened Leah’s fear and uncertainty. Along with the lump, she experienced significant weight loss and extreme fatigue, forcing her to pause her studies and work commitments. Despite feeling increasingly unwell, her repeated visits to doctors yielded little in the way of results.
A desperate search for answers
Eventually, Leah’s boyfriend arranged for tests in Greece, where scans revealed abnormalities that her UK-based GP refused to acknowledge. As Leah’s pain escalated, she found herself in agony, unable to perform daily tasks.
Only after a private consultation with a neurosurgeon did the seriousness of her situation come to light. The scan results raised immediate concerns about a potential tumor, leading to an urgent referral for a biopsy. In December 2023, Leah received the devastating news that she had cancer.
Facing treatment and raising awareness
Leah began her treatment journey with an intensive chemotherapy regimen, which included 14 cycles followed by 33 sessions of proton beam therapy. Throughout this challenging period, she received invaluable support from the Teenage Cancer Trust, which helped her cope with the emotional and physical toll of her diagnosis.
Fortunately, her treatment concluded successfully, allowing her to return to her studies in modern languages and English with French. Leah is now dedicated to sharing her story to raise awareness about the challenges faced by young people with cancer and the importance of listening to one’s body regarding health issues.
In early 2023, a large lump, comparable to the size of a grapefruit, appeared on her lower back. Her partner quickly arranged for a private scan in Greece, which led to the shocking discovery of a tumor on her spine. This resulted in a diagnosis of Ewing sarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer.0
In early 2023, a large lump, comparable to the size of a grapefruit, appeared on her lower back. Her partner quickly arranged for a private scan in Greece, which led to the shocking discovery of a tumor on her spine. This resulted in a diagnosis of Ewing sarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer.1
