Cancer survivor claims NHS letter wrongly told her disease had returned

If you're an avid TikTok user in the UK, the chances are that you've come across the incredibly courageous life story of Shell Rowe, a 24-year-old star who has shared updates in her battle with cancer since first being diagnosed in 2019.

This week, however, the non-Hodgkin lymphoma survivor has opened up on the moment she recently received a letter from the NHS she initially thought was informing her that her cancer had returned, despite in remission for over two years.

Shell Rowe was first diagnosed with cancer in 2019. (Instagram/shellrowex)

Shell has faced cancer four times

Essex-born Shell has given her colossal fan-base a look into the ins and outs of a cancer diagnosis since receiving her own life-changing news five years ago.

At the time, the youngster had hopes of attending university in California to study filmmaking - a dream that would need to be put on hold.

After being told she has stage 4 cancer, she's undergone a range of treatments, during each of which she has continued to make much-loved content, often trying to find positivity during her cancer journey.

Even during her darkest days - including having to receive radiotherapy on her 21st birthday - the social media star has made it her aim to put a smile on the faces of her viewers.

When she lost all of her hair after undergoing chemotherapy, for example, Shell went viral for sticking as many items of food on her bald head as possible, including Cheerios, coffee beans, rainbow sprinkles and strawberry laces.

Shell often posted hilarious content online amid her cancer treatment. (Instagram/@shellrowex)

Shell was diagnosed with cancer a further three times, and went on to receive CAR-T therapy, as well as stem cell transplant, during which her brother served as the donor.

Shell has been in remission since 2022.

"Who at the NHS hates my guts?"

This week, however, the TikTok favourite was temporarily plummeted into her worst nightmare after reading a letter she received from University College Hospitals, London.

She initially thought the letter was telling her that her cancer had returned, until realising the terrifying sentence was referring to the last time the disease had returned, which was three years ago.

Taking to Instagram, Shell hit out: "Who at the NHS hates my guts then? Because I'm getting the feeling that someone is taking a life insurance policy out on my life and trying to give me a heart attack with this letter."

Shell recalls being left terrified by the out of date letter. (Instagram/@shellrowex)

She went on to joke: "I would have rather received goat s**t in the post than what they've sent me. Knowing I've had cancer four b*****d times, why would you use this sentence, 'It's been identified that this patient has had subsequent disease relapse'.

"Sorry, why are you telling me that I'm going to die in the post? They've sent me a letter that is three years late about the last time I relapsed as I wait on new MRI results."

Shell ended her video by admitting: "When I tell you my entire soul blew out of my a*****e. What a way to s**t in my Weetabix this morning."

Since then, a UCHL spokesperson has denied the letter was three years out of date.

They told press: "We have called Shell to apologise for the distress caused by this letter.

"This was a copy of a new letter, written this month and sent to her GP, which included a summary of her clinical history. We understand how this has been misinterpreted."

Tyla contacted UCHL for comment.