Kanisha Collins, 24, was finally diagnosed after the mass on her pancreas was dismissed as gallstones for five months
A young bride-to-be’s life was turned upside down when she was handed a stage four cancer diagnosis after a mass on her pancreas was initially dismissed as gallstones. Kanisha Collins, 24, began suffering from liver pain and recurring water infections last winter.
She underwent treatment for pancreatitis at Chesterfield Royal Hospital, where doctors detected a mass on her pancreas along with blood clots. A CT scan in February even hinted at a reduction in the size of the mass, with medics suggesting it was likely gallstones, particularly given her youth – no further probing deemed necessary at that time.
But the situation took a dire turn when Kanisha visited A&E this April due to escalating pain, leading to the discovery of liver lesions. Subsequent biopsy results delivered the devastating news: she had stage four pancreatic cancer, which had spread to her liver.
The 24 year old has embarked on chemotherapy in the hope of decelerating the disease. Kanisha and her partner Mason Furnace, 29, are rushing to tie the knot this Saturday, with their two-year-old daughter Amaya playing the role of flower girl at their nuptials.
From her home in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, the care assistant said: “We’ve been engaged for two years, but when they found the mass my fiancé wanted to get married this year to speed things up. It’s stressful, I’m having chemo so obviously I’m going to be tired on my wedding day – not how I wanted to feel on my wedding day. But I’m still going to be thoroughly looking forward to it because it’s a day with friends and family and a day to celebrate me.”
Kanisha initially consulted her doctor in December 2024, complaining of pain, appetite issues, and indigestion. Although a mass was detected on her pancreas, it was not tested, with doctors attributing her symptoms to gallstones.
Kanisha said: “They misdiagnosed me because of my age, saying they didn’t think anyone my age would have that kind of cancer. They never attempted to test the mass they found back in December.”
Doctors continued to monitor the mass, noting a slight reduction in size by February 2025.
Kanisha added: “When they said the mass had shrunk slightly, obviously it was positive news, but I felt like they just kept testing the mass rather than actually doing something about it or properly testing it. And now I’m left with something incurable.”
It wasn’t until April, when Kanisha visited A&E with lower stomach pain, that a CT scan revealed the devastating truth: she had pancreatic cancer.
Reflecting on her experience, Kanisha said: “When it came back that it all stemmed from my pancreas, it was heartbreaking for me, because I’m 24 and I just feel like the hospital could have done more and pushed for more tests in the beginning. Then I might not have been in the situation I am now.
“People should get tested sooner for anything they find mass-wise, in any age of person, because nobody should go through it. The problem with pancreatic cancer is that there are not that many symptoms. But your appetite lessens and you get a lot more indigestion and stuff because it’s to do with your digestive system.”
Kanisha and her daughter Amaya are living in Chesterfield with Kanisha’s father Dean Collins, who set up a GoFundMe to support photo sessions, keepsakes and memory-making days out between the mother and her daughter.
The heartbroken mum said: “My daughter is only the age of two so she’s not understanding anything at the moment. Obviously it’s putting a lot of strain on the family and financially of course. Everyone’s trying to support me and my daughter.”
Dean, a train driver, expressed his grief on the fundraising site: “Despite being so young, her life is being cruelly cut short. She now faces the unimaginable – preparing to say goodbye to her two-year-old daughter, Amaya.”
He continued: “Amaya will grow up without her mummy by her side throughout her childhood, teenage years, and adult life. The pain of this loss is unimaginable for our family. Tragically, Kanisha’s cancer was initially misdiagnosed by the hospital as a non-cancerous mass, causing a delay in proper treatment and reducing her chances of survival.”
Dr Hal Spencer, chief executive of Chesterfield Royal Hospital, said: “We always strive to give the best care and we are sorry to hear of Kanisha’s experience. Throughout, her care has always been considered seriously and we have consulted with regional specialist colleagues who were advising us on her care and management.
“We would encourage Kanisha and her family to contact us and we will support them in a full review of her care in order that we can understand the decisions taken and the management advice given. This will help inform our internal reviews already underway.”