35-Year-Old Woman Allegedly Dies After Her ‘Food Poisoning’ Turns Out to Be Deadly Cancer

Lifestyle
Paul Johns
February 23, 2025
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8 minutes read

Credit: AMMF

A woman tragically lost her life to one of the deadliest cancers in the UK after initially believing her symptoms were caused by food poisoning. Sian Ashcraft, 35, passed away after being diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma, a rare but aggressive cancer that often goes undetected until it reaches an advanced stage.

In Spring 2023, Ashcraft attempted to donate blood but was informed she was anemic. She began taking iron tablets but soon experienced persistent abdominal pain. Initially, she dismissed the discomfort as a minor digestive issue, but when the pain intensified, she was taken to the hospital. Doctors first suspected gallstones; however, her symptoms worsened.

By November 2023, scans revealed lesions on her liver, raising serious concerns. A few months later, she was officially diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma, a cancer that affects the bile ducts connecting the liver and gallbladder to the small intestine.

These tiny tubes play a crucial role in the digestive system by transporting bile and aiding in fat breakdown. Unfortunately, due to the silent nature of the disease, it is often discovered too late for effective treatment. Helen Morement, from the cholangiocarcinoma charity AMMF, told The Sun that awareness of this aggressive cancer needs to increase.

“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 thought,” 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.” As awareness grows, experts hope more individuals will recognize symptoms earlier, improving chances of early detection and better treatment outcomes.