Gemma Phillips, a 32-year-old who began experiencing severe back pain five years ago, was repeatedly sent home by doctors with painkillers. However, approximately 18 months later, she was diagnosed with cancer and was hit with a disease that was no longer curable. Gemma sought help from her family doctor in 2020 due to the back pain she started experiencing. Initially, she was recommended painkillers and then referred for an ultrasound, but no abnormal findings were reported. She was told that the pain could be due to irritable bowel syndrome. However, the pain continued to worsen, and she expressed the seriousness of her condition by stating that it was “taking over her life.”

According to a report in TheSun, following Gemma’s complaints, new tests and specialist consultations revealed a mass in her abdomen. After 18 months since her initial consultation with the general practitioner in March 2022, Gemma was diagnosed with leiomyosarcoma. This was a rare and aggressive type of cancer that arises from the body’s connective tissues. Only about 525 cases were diagnosed annually in England.

Gemma underwent surgery to remove a 10 cm tumor in May 2022 after being referred to the hospital following her diagnosis. However, the following year, the pain in her back and side returned. A PET scan in October 2023 revealed that the cancer had spread and three new tumors had formed. Gemma was informed that it was incurable and she had 12 to 18 months to live.

Since then, Gemma has been trying to extend her life with chemotherapy and radiotherapy, describing her experience as, “It’s hard to understand when this happens to you. Your body is being taken over by this disease.” Sharing her treatment process on social media, Gemma is striving to offer hope to her followers. On March 15, 2025, five of Gemma’s friends climbed Snowdon to uplift her spirits. 32-year-old Julia Young from Gloucester remarked, “Gemma’s diagnosis profoundly impacted me. It’s hard to believe she’s fighting this disease. But she’s always positive, active, and living her life to the fullest.”

Those who hear Gemma’s story describe her as a brave and inspiring individual. Her friends emphasize that she never loses hope and lives each moment fully. Dr. Sorrel Bickley stated, “We have invested over £600,000 in five groundbreaking research projects on leiomyosarcoma, the disease Gemma is battling. While early diagnosis is crucial in rare cancers like this, developing effective treatment methods for late-stage patients is also crucial.”

Gemma’s story serves as a reminder to healthcare professionals of the importance of early diagnosis and showcases that the fight against cancer is never without hope.