Ipswich nurse joins Rethink Liver Cancer for late mum

Abi Jenkins's mum, Sue, was diagnosed with Cholangiocarcinoma this year and died at the age of 60 in August.

The liver cancer is often missed, misdiagnosed and misunderstood and is the subject of a new awareness campaign around its symptoms.

Abi, 35, is showing her support in supporting a new Rethink Liver Cancer campaign launched by UK cancer charity, AMMF.

Sue, who lived in Felixstowe with her husband Paul, experienced pain in her chest at the start of the year which became so bad, she ended up in Ipswich A&E twice during April.

Emily, Paul, Sue and Abi Jenkins (Image: Abi Jenkins)

Whilst in A&E, she underwent a liver blood test, which came back showing abnormal results and she was directed back to her GP for a CT scan.

These scans found a tumour on her liver.

Abi said: "They told mum that they weren't sure what type of cancer it was, and explained that as tumours that start in the liver are so rare, it was likely to have spread from somewhere else.

"They booked her in for a full-body CT scan and then did a biopsy.

"In mid-July, the biopsy results came back and she was diagnosed with liver cancer.

"But we were told it was likely to be hepatocellular carcinoma, the type of liver cancer that's more well known."

Sue with her husband, Paul (Image: Abi Jenkins)

Uncertainty around the diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma is common according to AMMF, the only charity in the UK solely dedicated to supporting people with bile duct cancer.

Abi continued: "When she was admitted into hospital for chemo, a doctor took my dad aside and told him he should basically start planning mum's funeral and to get a hospital bed downstairs.

"That was a huge shock.

"I promised mum near the end of her life that I'd continue to fight for her and that's what I'm doing now by helping AMMF to raise awareness."