Woman, 33, mistook signs of rare squamous cell carcinoma cancer for period symptoms

A woman who feared she had inherited her dad’s bowel condition was left in shock after doctors discovered an extremely rare form of cancer that would require surgeons to remove part of her bowel and half her stomach.

Kirsty Adam thought her stomach cramps were linked to her period before worsening pain, diarrhoea and blood in her stool led to a devastating cancer diagnosis, and a life-saving operation that left her with a stoma bag.

The 33-year-old childcare worker from Glasgow first experienced stomach pain in March 2026.

Initially, her GP thought the pain could be related to her period.

But as the weeks passed, her symptoms worsened, leaving her struggling with severe abdominal pain, diarrhoea and unexplained weight loss.

“I had already had my period when the stomach cramps started, so I was wondering why I was getting these cramps.

Stomach pains and cramping are often associated with the menstrual cycle, but it was much worse for Kirsty (Getty Stock)

“The cramps were on and off, then I got diarrhoea and severe abdominal pain," she recalled.

“Doctors thought it was due to my period, then potentially food poisoning - I was palmed off a few times.”

By May, Kirsty knew something was seriously wrong and returned to her GP.

She was referred to the Royal Infirmary in Glasgow, where doctors were concerned the problem could be related to her appendix.

Blood tests were taken, and she was asked to provide a stool sample, and the results revealed a worrying discovery.

“The sample showed that there was a lot of blood in my stool,” Kirsty said.

A colonoscopy was arranged, but Kirsty believed she might have Crohn’s disease, an inflammatory bowel condition her dad had been diagnosed with.

Instead, doctors told her she had cancer.

Kirsty recalled the moment she received the news, admitting she went into “immediate shock” because she had been expecting a Crohn’s diagnosis.

“I just zoned out; my partner picked up most of the information.

“As soon as they mentioned cancer, I just stared at the door handle, wanting to run out of the room.

“I was in shock; I had already got it into my head that they would tell me I had Crohn's.”

Kirsty said her pain was initially blamed on her periods (SWNS)

A biopsy was needed to identify the precise type of cancer that she had, and in June 2026, Kirsty’s consultant confirmed she had squamous cell carcinoma in the bowel, an exceptionally rare diagnosis.

Doctors also carried out CT scans of her head, neck and cervix to establish whether the cancer had spread from another part of her body.

Thankfully, the results were clear.

Kirsty was told the news that surgery was her main treatment option.

“I was told that due to the type of cancer, it would not respond well to chemotherapy.

“The only option I had was surgery, and to remove the tumour completely," she explained.

“During the surgery, surgeons removed the tumour as well as part of my bowel and half of my stomach.

“The surgeon told me that if they did not operate on me, I would not have been here today.”

Squamous cell carcinoma originating in the colon or rectum is extraordinarily uncommon.

Researchers have found it accounts for roughly 0.1 to 0.25 cases per 1,000 colorectal cancers, making treatment decisions particularly challenging because evidence is limited.

The NHS lists blood in the stool, persistent changes in bowel habits, abdominal pain and unexplained weight loss among possible symptoms of bowel cancer.

These symptoms can have other causes, but people are advised to seek medical attention if they persist or cause concern.

While Kirsty's case is very rare, the NHS advises anyone with any concerns should speak to their GP (Getty Stock)

Crohn’s disease can cause some of the same symptoms, including abdominal pain, diarrhoea, blood in the stool and weight loss, so Kirsty’s initial suspicion was understandable.

The NHS says: “If you have symptoms of bowel cancer, it’s important to get checked.”

Kirsty is now living with a stoma bag and undergoes CT scans every six months to monitor her condition.

“I am hopeful that they will be able to get rid of my stoma bag.

“I am struggling with my body. I have this big scar right down the front of my body.

“Having to empty and manage my stoma bag is so tricky and difficult.”

For Kirsty, symptoms that were initially attributed to her menstrual cycle led to a life-changing diagnosis.

If you have any similar concerns, always speak to your GP or other medical expert.