A mother who initially attributed her bloated stomach to constipation was later diagnosed with a rare form of incurable cancer. Chelsea Gallimore, 33, was urgently hospitalized after waking up in excruciating pain and struggling to move for six hours. Previously, she had been dealing with abdominal discomfort, night sweats, and fatigue, which she had mistaken for constipation symptoms.
Subsequent scans uncovered an eight-centimeter mass on her bowel, and a biopsy confirmed she had a gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), a rare cancer affecting roughly 900 individuals annually in the UK. Typically diagnosed in people aged 55 to 65, Chelsea’s diagnosis at 31 was notably atypical. Chelsea, from Prescot, Merseyside, recounted, “I woke up one day with severe stomach swelling and unprecedented pain.”
Following hospitalization and diagnostic tests, she learned of the tumor’s presence on her bowel. Initially attributing her symptoms to constipation, Chelsea expressed disbelief at the diagnosis. She underwent surgery in March 2024 and commenced treatment with imatinib, a targeted drug inhibiting cancer cell growth.
Despite discontinuing the medication in June 2025 due to stable scan results, a subsequent emergency CT scan on New Year’s Eve revealed cancer recurrence. Further scans indicated significant progression and metastasis, leading to an incurable and inoperable prognosis. Chelsea now receives palliative care, manages constant pain with high doses of medication, and undergoes regular scans to monitor treatment efficacy.
Chelsea, accompanied by her partner Andrew Mason and their 11-year-old son Milo, is grappling with the emotional impact of the diagnosis. The couple, planning a November wedding after discussions during Chelsea’s hospice stay, seeks to cherish moments with loved ones amid uncertainties. Chelsea advocates for GIST awareness through her social media cancer journey documentation, emphasizing the importance of seeking medical advice for unusual symptoms.
According to Cancer Research UK, early-stage GIST often presents without symptoms, leading to delayed diagnosis. Common symptoms at later stages include abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, and fatigue. As a rare sarcoma affecting the digestive system, GIST primarily occurs in the stomach but can develop elsewhere. Chelsea urges vigilance among individuals experiencing constipation, emphasizing the need to monitor symptoms for potential underlying health issues.
Her story prompted parliamentary discussions culminating in the enactment of the Rare Cancers Act. Chelsea stresses the necessity for heightened symptom awareness and hopes for improved recognition of rare cancer symptoms.