A remarkable story recently emerged about a woman named Ellie Downes, a police officer from York, who endured a lengthy battle with excruciating leg pain that doctors initially dismissed as a minor muscle injury. However, it was eventually discovered that Ellie had a 10cm cancerous tumor.
Ellie first experienced pain in her left knee in October 2020 but was told by doctors during two GP appointments over a span of four months that it was merely a strain or sprain that would heal with time. Thankfully, Ellie persisted and advocated for further investigation, which led to a scan revealing that she actually had osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer.
After undergoing surgery and enduring months of chemotherapy, Ellie is now cancer-free. Her ordeal has inspired her to advocate for more comprehensive cancer checks to ensure that cases like hers are not initially dismissed. She emphasized the need for a screening process and checklist similar to what exists for breast, ovarian, and prostate cancer.
Ellie’s journey began in November 2020 when she contacted her GP about her knee pain. Initially, she was informed during a phone consultation that the issue likely resided in the soft tissue around her knee and would heal with rest. However, after persistently pushing for further examination, Ellie had a face-to-face appointment in March 2021. Her GP diagnosed her with ligament damage, a condition that occurs when the connective tissue between bones becomes overstretched and tears. The GP advised her to self-refer to a physiotherapist who eventually recommended an MRI scan.
The scan results were shocking. Ellie had a 10cm tumor growing in her tibia, the second longest bone in the body. A subsequent biopsy in July 2021 confirmed that it was cancerous and identified it as osteosarcoma. Approximately 160 people in the UK and 1,000 in the US are diagnosed with this type of cancer each year. Common symptoms include bone and joint pain, easy bruising, broken bones, and fractures caused by weakening of the bone due to a tumor.
Upon receiving her diagnosis, Ellie initially felt numb and it took months for reality to sink in. She vividly remembers being in the hospital over Christmas when the gravity of her situation truly hit her. Ellie expressed surprise and worry that her symptoms turned out to be cancer. She worried that she was being overly dramatic and cautious. She credited the physiotherapist for insisting on further investigation, stating that if she hadn’t seen them, she may have ignored the symptoms, allowing the tumor to grow and potentially cause irreversible damage and spreading.
To combat her cancer, Ellie underwent surgery, during which part of her tibia bone and knee joint were removed to eliminate the 10cm tumor. She subsequently went through months of chemotherapy until October 2022. Unfortunately, just two months after completing treatment, a scan revealed that she had developed cancer in her lungs and two more osteosarcoma tumors.
Despite the setbacks, Ellie remains optimistic and focused on rebuilding her life. She plans to marry her partner, Max, in Cyprus in the spring of 2025. Ellie praised the NHS for their treatment and care during her cancer journey. However, she believes there should be a screening process and checklist for younger patients experiencing knee pain, similar to those in place for breast, ovarian, and prostate cancers, to avoid cases like hers from being missed in the future.
As she continues to recover, Ellie is determined to set up a charity to provide support for individuals between the ages of 25 and 35 who are undergoing or living with cancer. She is eager to resume her everyday life, return to work, and pursue her dreams of starting a family. This inspiring journey underscores the importance of perseverance and the need for thorough cancer checks to ensure early detection and intervention.
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