Woman, 42, whose cancer was misdiagnosed as IBS dies

A woman who found out she had incurable cancer after months of being misdiagnosed has died.

Claire O'Shea, 42, from Cardiff, was diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) but a masseuse on a Turkish holiday told her the lump in her abdomen could have a more sinister cause.

She was later diagnosed with a rare type of gynaecological cancer.

In a post on Instagram, a spokesperson for Claire's Campaign said she died on Monday and they were "passionate about keeping her legacy alive."

Ms O'Shea was referred for a scan within days of her return from holiday but was told she had benign fibroids - non-cancerous growths around the womb.

The lump was the size of a grapefruit when she had that removed eight months later, but a biopsy in December 2022 confirmed it was uterine leiomyosarcoma - a cancer of the soft tissue in her uterus.

After telling her story, she said she had been approached by about 200 people who also felt they were ignored.

Ms O'Shea set up a group called Claire's Campaign, to amplify the voices of those who felt their symptoms were repeatedly dismissed by professionals.

In the post on Instagram, a spokesperson for the group said that anyone who "had the privilege of meeting Claire will remember her vibrancy, humour, and incredible determination".

It continued: "After receiving her own incurable gynaecological cancer diagnosis following a poor experience, Claire made it her mission to raise awareness and make sure that other women in Wales wouldn't have to go through the same.

"The impact Claire has had is immeasurable, and we are so proud of everything she achieved.

"Even in her final days, Claire remained open, courageous, and committed to campaigning for change."

Judi Rhys MBE, chief executive at Tenovus Cancer Care, said working alongside Claire was a "great honour".

"Her strength, warmth, and determination inspired hundreds of women to share their experiences and helped drive real change in how gynaecological cancers are understood, talked about, and addressed across Wales.

"Claire's untimely death is a powerful reminder of why this campaign matters so much.

"We remain fiercely committed to continuing this work, in partnership with Claire's family, to make sure her legacy lives on," she said.