A woman has revealed her terrifying battle after doctors “dismissed” her incurable cancer as heartburn.
Victoria Rodwell loved being active.
From swimming the Channel, to regularly doing scuba diving and being a PE teacher; there was nothing that could stop her.
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But when the 32-year-old suddenly suffered difficulties when trying to swallow, her whole world came crashing down.
And now, it’s unclear how much time she’s got left on Earth.
“It’s been a horror movie from start to finish,” Victoria, from Kent, told Need To Know.
“I am heartbroken and devastated that my life has been ruined.
“And I’m terrified knowing that I will have to have treatment for the rest of the little life I have left.
“I can’t participate in sports like I used to.
“I can’t do anything like I used to actually.
“I’m tired all the time, I feel sick having to take these medications and inject myself.
“I’ve been told that I will never be able to have a family now as a result of this.
“And, at the end of it, are the doctors who couldn’t be bothered to do the right checks.
“Now, all the opportunities myself and my husband were working and living for have been taken away in an instant.”
Victoria started having issues with swallowing in September 2024.
Each meal felt like food was getting stuck; which impacted her appetite and subsequently, her weight.
In just five months, she lost 3st 8lbs.
When visiting her doctors, though, she claims her concerns were “dismissed”.
She said: “I returned again and again as my symptoms worsened.
“My pain only increased and the ability to live a normal life disappeared.
“No matter how many urgent tests or hospital visits after I nearly choked to death, there was no follow-up or explanation – or treatment.
“Instead, I was offered antidepressants and heartburn medication.”
When it became “impossible” to ignore her decline, her case escalated.
And in January 2026, she was diagnosed with Stage Four oesophageal cancer after a scope wasn’t able to pass through due to the size of the mass.
Right now, without treatment, it’s unclear how long she has left.
Following her engagement to her now husband, Ben, 30, in 2025, they originally had plans to wed later on this year.
Though, as it was unclear if she’d make it to then, they had to push their wedding forward to the start of 2026.
To give her a fighting chance, she’s raising funds for life saving treatment on GoFundMe, with £50,152 raised out of £55,000 so far.
Since her case has been deemed incurable, the NHS isn’t able to offer treatment.
The funds would see her get specialist cancer care in the UK or abroad, alongside crucial support.
Currently, she’s having 12 rounds of chemotherapy every two weeks, along with being on steroids, injections and anti-sickness tablets.
The side effects have left her with pins and needles in her hands, nosebleeds, feeling extremely cold and tired daily.
It’s been tough for Victoria, especially as her once active lifestyle has now been stripped away for good.
She added: “I feel like my whole life has been completely ruined because I wasn’t being listened to.
“If this had been picked up when I first said something was wrong, I wouldn’t be worrying that each day will be my last.
“It’s been over a year of missed opportunities, delayed investigations and repeated reassurance, all while I deteriorated in plain sight.
“I’ve been told I won’t ever be able to have children and the chance of a normal life again is non-existent.
“I was fit, healthy and a non-smoker.
“Now, I’m weak, unable to work and a shell of myself.
“Even now, while being told my cancer is incurable, an appointment was cancelled with just an hour’s notice.
“It exposed a systemic failure in the NHS, where patients with less complex or common conditions are repeatedly overlooked.
“And it’s left me – and so many others – with devastating, life-changing and life-limiting consequences.”
Jam Press has contacted West Malling practice and NHS for comment but hasn’t received a response.
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