**Young Mother Faces Terminal Cancer Diagnosis After Five-Month Gallstones Misdiagnosis**
A Derbyshire woman is facing the heartbreaking prospect of not seeing her daughter grow up, after doctors attributed her symptoms to gallstones for months before ultimately diagnosing her with terminal cancer. Kanisha Collins, a 24-year-old care assistant from Chesterfield, found herself navigating a maze of uncertainty and distress, culminating in a stage four pancreatic cancer diagnosis that has now cast a shadow over her future with her young daughter.
Kanisha’s ordeal began in late 2024, when she first sought medical help for persistent liver pain, frequent water infections, appetite loss, and indigestion. Initial assessments at Chesterfield Royal Hospital focused on pancreatitis, but during her treatment, clinicians discovered a significant mass on her pancreas alongside blood clots. Despite the serious nature of these findings, a CT scan in February 2025 showed the mass had slightly decreased in size, leading doctors to conclude it was most likely gallstones—a more common and less sinister issue, particularly in a woman of Kanisha’s age.
As a result, no further immediate investigations were conducted. Kanisha was booked in for an MRI scan later in the year, a decision influenced by her youth and what doctors presumed to be the unlikely possibility of cancer. However, in April, mounting discomfort and escalating pain prompted her to seek emergency care. Shockingly, this visit revealed more sinister developments: lesions in her liver, which a biopsy confirmed were caused by advanced pancreatic cancer.
The diagnosis has come as a devastating blow, not only for Kanisha herself, but also for her fiancé Mason Furnace, 29, and their two-year-old daughter Amaya. The couple, who had been engaged for two years, felt compelled to bring their wedding forward in light of the diagnosis and are set to marry with Amaya as their flower girl—an occasion that will be both joyful and profoundly bittersweet. Kanisha started chemotherapy this week in a bid to slow the spread of the disease, though she acknowledges she is preparing to say goodbye to her child far too soon.
Reflecting on her experience, Kanisha voiced frustration at the way her case was managed. “Because of my age, doctors never considered cancer to be a possibility. They found the mass on my pancreas in December and assumed it was gallstones, so they didn’t bother to test it. I can’t help but wonder whether things might have been different if they’d taken it more seriously from the start,” she explained.
Kanisha’s story highlights a growing concern within the medical community about the risk of age-based assumptions leading to diagnostic delays. Pancreatic cancer, in particular, is notorious for its vague symptoms and rapid progression. Kanisha says, “It’s hard to catch because it doesn’t cause strong symptoms in the early stages. People of any age should be thoroughly checked when something is abnormal—the risks of ignoring it are just too high.”
Amid the anguish of her own diagnosis, Kanisha is now focused on making memories with Amaya. They currently live with Kanisha’s father, Dean Collins, who has launched a crowdfunding campaign to help fund family days out, keepsakes, and professional photos, all in an effort to create lasting mementoes for Amaya. “My daughter is only two and doesn’t understand what’s happening,” Kanisha says. “The emotional and financial strain on the family is immense, and everyone is just doing what they can to support us both.”
Dean Collins shared his heartbreak on the fundraising page, noting that his daughter’s life is being “cruelly cut short.” He lamented that the initial misdiagnosis delayed vital treatment, potentially limiting Kanisha’s options and time. “Amaya will have to grow up without her mother, missing her love and guidance through every stage of life. It’s a pain no family should have to go through,” he wrote.
The case has prompted Chesterfield Royal Hospital’s leadership to respond. Dr Hal Spencer, the chief executive, expressed his condolences and stated: “We always aim to provide the best possible care and are sorry for Kanisha’s experience. Her case was considered seriously, with advice sought from regional specialists. We encourage Kanisha and her family to get in touch directly so we can conduct a comprehensive review together and learn how best to improve.”
Kanisha’s experience is a reminder of the importance of thorough investigation, regardless of a patient’s age. As her family prepares for an emotional wedding ceremony this weekend, the story underscores not only the human cost of diagnostic errors but also the resilience and love that can be found even in the direst of circumstances.