UK Woman Mistakes Rare Cancer for Food Poisoning, Loses 13 Organs

From Holiday Sickness to a Life-Changing Diagnosis

The female patient is scrolling through her phone while her right hand is resting because of IV drip.

According to the WHO and FSSAI, in India, over 100 million cases of foodborne illness occur each year. Major outbreaks are often associated with street food, contaminated water, and improper food storage. Representative image: CDC

Published on:

28 May 2025, 9:52 am

Rebecca Hind, a 39-year-old woman from Cumbria, England woman who initially brushed off her symptoms as simple food poisoning from that office Christmas party in 2018. Doctors eventually diagnosed her with pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP), a rare form of cancer that affects just one in a million people. By then, the disease had already spread extensively through her abdomen.

“By the time they found it, I was pretty much riddled with it,” she told the outlet. “It was heartbreaking. But I’ve just got to try to get on with life, and deal with whatever comes my way.” Hind told The Telegraph.

What Is Pseudomyxoma Peritonei (PMP)?

PMP is a slow-growing but dangerous mucin-producing cancer. It causes the accumulation of jelly-like fluid (mucin) in the abdominal cavity, leading to bloating, pain, digestive issues, and more. Because it's so rare, diagnosis is often delayed, making treatment more complex and aggressive.

A Grueling Journey Through Surgery and Chemotherapy

In April 2019, at age 34, Hind underwent her first major surgery. Surgeons removed her appendix, umbilicus, lesser omentum, and nearly 7 liters of mucin. This was followed by eight intense rounds of chemotherapy.

However, the battle was far from over. Later that year, in November, she had a second, far more extensive operation. Doctors removed 13 internal organs and parts of her digestive system, including her gallbladder, spleen, uterus, ovaries, cervix, rectum, sections of the stomach and small intestine, and both sides of the diaphragm.

Today, she relies on up to 60 tablets a day to manage pain, hormonal changes, and daily function.

Finding Strength in the Face of Uncertainty

Despite the physical and emotional toll, Hind remains determined to live life fully.

“I turn 40 this year and I want to say yes to everything. I’ve been surfing, in a hot air balloon and dog sledding so far,” she told The Mirror. In recent months, she’s gone surfing, flown in a hot air balloon, and even tried dog sledding.

“The message I want to get across is when you have a stoma or an incurable diagnosis, things will be incredibly difficult. My daily life is a rollercoaster. But with the right attitude, you can still achieve a lot. And more importantly, enjoy whatever time you have.” she added.

Every year, approximately 600 million people, nearly 1 in 10 globally, fall ill due to food poisoning. This results in around 420,000 deaths due to foodborne diseases. Notably, children under the age of 5 represent 30% of these foodborne deaths, accounting for about 125,000 fatalities annually. The most common causes of foodborne illnesses include Salmonella, E. coli, Norovirus, Listeria, and Campylobacter.Representative Image: FreePik

Giving Back: From Patient to Advocate

She is still going on the ride despite having been recently admitted to the hospital over a new operation and the development of a new tumour. 100% of the proceeds from her fundraiser will be donated to the Patient-led Pseudomyxoma Survivor charity which is set up by women who are living with and beyond PMP.

“In September, I'm going to take part in Chris Hoy's 'Tour de 4', a bike event which aims to challenge people's perspective of Stage 4 cancer,” she wrote.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Muhammad Faisal Arshad/MSM)

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UK Woman Mistakes Rare Cancer for Food Poisoning, Loses 13 Organs

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