Mother given 'eight weeks to live' after doctors mistook cancer for depression

Tina Locke, pictured with husband Jason and son Dylan, has been given just eight weeks to live after her family claimed doctors 'mistook her stomach cancer symptoms for depression'. Photo / Facebook

A mother-of-two has just eight weeks to live amid claims doctors 'mistook her stomach cancer symptoms for depression'.

Tina Locke has been suffering with pains in her stomach and chest for two years but her family said she was only given antidepressants and treated for anxiety and chronic pain condition fibromyalgia.

An investigation has since been launched into her care by bosses at Cwm Taf University Health Board in south Wales, the Daily Mail reported.

Mrs Locke's family said her cancer has now spread to lymph nodes in her abdomen and her "only chance of survival" is immunotherapy treatment in Germany, which could cost up to £300,000.

The former hairdresser, who also acts as a carer to son Dylan, 15, was eventually diagnosed with signet ring cell adenocarcinoma, a form of cancer highly resistant to chemotherapy.

Her husband Jason told Wales Online she had been 'let down by the NHS'.

He said: "Nobody took her seriously because she looked so well. She begged the doctors to give her tests.

"It's really shocking that this was allowed to happen. I will camp and protest on the steps of the Assembly until the money is given to send her to Germany. The NHS owes it to her."

Friends say they fear chemotherapy may cause the tumour to "explode", leaving immunotherapy as the only 'life-extending' treatment option.

Close family friend Laura Obradovic-Eaves added the NHS was 'refusing' to help Mrs Locke by not approving immunotherapy in the UK.

She said: "The family have argued their case to the NHS and asked them to skip the formalities of approval and give her the treatment here but so far they are refusing to help Tina."

So far they have raised £9,000 via a JustGiving page as well as charity events including a car boot sale and sponsored walks.