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‘I saw a GP 12 times before my tumour was found'

Nikki Helme A woman wearing a flurry hat and a cardigan stands on a street holding hands with a young boy. In her other hand she is holding a dog's harness but her dog is not in frame. Nikki Helme
Nikki Helme says the process of being diagnosed with the tumour was "traumatising"

A woman said she visited her GP 12 times before eventually being diagnosed with a rare type of tumour.

Nikki Helme, 35, from Chorley in Lancashire, said at one point she was referred for "health anxiety" treatment by her doctor after contacting the surgery "every day".

The mum-of-two said it was after she passed blood that she was sent for tests that found she had a "low-grade" neuroendocrine tumour in her digestive system.

The local health board said GPs "continually received training" but did not comment directly on Ms Helme's experience, which she said was "demoralising and traumatising".

'Demoralising'

Mrs Helme said she had been repeatedly told she was likely to have thrush or bacterial vaginosis, despite saying she had no symptoms of either condition.

Partially-sighted Mrs Helme said she persisted and kept returning to the surgery, which was difficult because she could not drive herself there.

"If I was listened to the first time, that would have saved me going back and back and back," she said.

"It's very demoralizing going to the GP every single day," she said.

She said she had been made to feel like a nuisance and that her self-esteem and mental health had been affected.

The NHS describes neuroendocrine tumours as rare tumours that can be either cancerous or non-cancerous. Those that affect the digestive system can cause diarrhoea and stomach pains, and, according to the health service, what causes them is "not fully understood".

Mrs Helme, who is due to have surgery to remove the tumour next month, said she wanted GPs to "listen to their patients".

A spokesperson for Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board said: "All primary and secondary care providers follow NICE and NHS England guidelines, and all GPs continually receive training to be able to perform their duties.

"Anyone who experiences changes to their body or recognises any signs and symptoms of cancer should contact their GP."

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