Catherine Jenkins' Story

When Catherine Jenkins from Surrey started losing weight in the summer of 2018, she didn’t think it was anything to worry about.

She had always been an active, outdoorsy person, juggling family life and supporting her seriously ill sister in hospital. Life was full, busy and emotional, so when the weight dropped off, she assumed it was stress.

“I was walking everywhere, cycling, helping care for my sister. I felt fine, just tired. Losing weight didn’t seem like a red flag at the time,” Catherine recalls.

Looking back now, Catherine can see the signs were there all along, subtle hints from her body that something much deeper was going wrong.

In January 2019, she finally saw her GP. She mentioned her weight loss and periods of constipation. Within two weeks she was sent for a colonoscopy and blood tests. Everything came back normal except for one thing: she was almost completely vitamin D deficient.

“I was given tablets and told to get more sunshine, which made no sense because I’m always outdoors,” she says. “What I didn’t know was that this can be a sign your pancreas isn’t working properly. Your body can’t absorb nutrients properly.”

The colonoscopy was clear and Catherine felt huge relief. “I remember thinking, thank goodness it’s not bowel cancer. I had no idea the pancreas could even cause those kinds of symptoms.”

From that point on, she brushed off her ongoing problems. Her bowels alternated between loose and constipated, she often felt tired, and sometimes she’d get shaky and lightheaded, what she now recognises as diabetic-like episodes.

“I’d get home from work, sit on the train and just fall asleep,” she remembers. “But then I’d look around and everyone else was asleep too, so I thought nothing of it. I didn’t connect the dots.”

For years, Catherine carried on as normal. She went walking, cycling, swimming and even skiing. But in October 2021, things changed.

“I started feeling like I had a ball of stuffing high up in my stomach,” she says. “It was worse at night and I couldn’t get comfortable. I was convinced it was something to do with my gallbladder or pancreas.”

Her GP examined her thoroughly but thought it was more likely a stomach issue. Catherine was prescribed omeprazole and referred for an ultrasound. The medication worked, the discomfort eased and the ultrasound didn’t show anything serious.

“I was reassured again, which in hindsight delayed things further,” she says. “I wish I’d asked more questions.”

When the radiologist mentioned she had a “fizzy stomach,” she didn’t think to follow it up. “I thought I was being silly. I didn’t want to waste anyone’s time.”

By May 2022, things took a turn. Catherine couldn’t eat properly and started to feel nauseous and bloated. Her urine turned a deep yellow and her skin began to itch. “I even thought it was insect bites at first,” she says.

A blood test revealed dangerously high levels of bilirubin and ALT, both signs of liver and bile duct issues. Even then, her appointment wasn’t due for several days, but Catherine’s instinct told her something was seriously wrong.

“By that Saturday, I felt dreadful. I called 111 and the doctor said I should be in A&E, but since I already had an appointment on Monday, I tried to hold on.”

That Monday, her GP suspected pancreatic cancer and sent her straight to hospital.

In June 2022, just three weeks before her 61st birthday, Catherine underwent a major Whipple operation, one of the most complex surgeries performed for pancreatic cancer. It was followed by six months of chemotherapy and five and a half weeks of radiotherapy.

“The biopsy showed a large mucoid carcinoma, but thankfully it could be removed,” she says. “It was terrifying, but I had incredible doctors and nurses who saved my life.”

Recovery was long and exhausting. Catherine took early retirement to focus on her health. “I just don’t have the stamina I used to, but that’s okay. I’m here. I walk, cycle and swim again, and I’m so grateful.”

Catherine’s story is one of courage and hindsight. Like many people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, her symptoms were vague and easily dismissed, tiredness, stomach discomfort and digestive issues that could easily be mistaken for stress or diet-related problems.

“I always tell people now, don’t downplay what you’re feeling,” she says. “Doctors are brilliant, but they only know what you tell them. I wish I’d been clearer and pushed harder. My symptoms came and went, but the pancreas is sneaky. It doesn’t always shout until it’s too late.”

Today, she has regular scans and blood tests every six months, and so far, the cancer has not returned.

“Thanks to our superb NHS, I’m still here and able to enjoy life fully,” she says. “Every sunrise feels like a gift.”

Catherine hopes her story helps others trust their instincts.

“You know your body better than anyone. If something feels off, don’t ignore it. Go back to your GP, ask questions and insist on follow-ups. Listening to your body could save your life.”