A young woman’s worrying cancer symptom was dismissed by a doctor who inexplicably thought her yellow jaundice eyes looked off-white simply because she was wearing a bright Ikea uniform.
Chelsey La Frentz, 25, went to a local GP in Adelaide after noticing her eyes looked different, as well as suffering from itching and feeling sick after eating.
The doctor ordered further testing to be safe, but assured Ms La Frentz her ailments were most likely innocuous.
Months later, her cancer has become terminal and the positive young Australian is hoping a ‘miracle’ will save her life.
‘She didn’t think they were yellow, because I was wearing my uniform. She thought it was just my uniform,’ she told 9News about her initial appointment at the doctor.
Chelsey La Frentz, 25, (pictured) from Adelaide, has been diagnosed with bile cancer, a rare liver cancer – but was dismissed by her GP
Her doctor initially dismissed her ‘yellow eyes’ as an optical illusion because she was wearing a bright yellow Ikea top (pictured, a jaundice eye)
‘She said ”this is not going to be cancer – at your age it just doesn’t add up”.’
While still undergoing tests, Miss La Frentz fell so ill she went to the emergency department after her whole body turned yellow and broke out in rashes.
There, doctors performed an MRI scan and gave her the devastating news that the then-24-year-old had bile cancer, a cancer of the liver.
Ms La Frentz underwent surgery and chemotherapy, which initially worked, but the cancer has since returned.
The illness is now terminal and the retail worker is continuing chemotherapy to try and prolong her life, hoping she may still beat the disease.
The 25-year-old is now urging people to see their doctors if they have any concerning symptoms as part of a cancer awareness campaign.
Cancer charities have been appealing for people to continue regular screenings and get check-ups amid fears Aussies are putting off going to the doctor because of the pandemic.
Ms La Frentz (pictured with her boyfriend) is now urging Australians to continue getting regular screenings despite the pandemic
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Ms La Frentz, an employee of Swedish furniture chain Ikea (pictured), was told by her doctor her yellow work top was probably the reason her eyes seemed that colour
Early screening is vital in saving lives, and Ms La Frentz said people should not forget that cancer remains a threat because of the focus on Covid.
‘You think you’re young and you’re going to be fine but it can affect anyone,’ she said.
The New Normal, Same Cancer Conversation campaign is calling on Australians to return to using cancer services to reduce delays in diagnoses.
Symptoms of cancer could include unexplained weight loss, fatigue, tiredness, unexplained aches or pains, fever, or an unusual lump or swelling.
During the start of the pandemic in March 2020, there were between 27 per cent and 50 per cent fewer cancer diagnostic procedures.
The campaign, which is backed by drug company AstraZeneca, is a collaboration by 13 healthcare organisations across Australia.
They include Cancer Australia, Bowel Cancer Australia, Leukaemia Foundation GI Cancer Institute, Ovarian Cancer Australia, Pancare, Pankind, Pink Hope, Prostate Cancer Australia, Rare Cancers Australia, Lymphoma Australia, Lung Foundation Australia, Neuroendocrine Cancer Australia, and So Brave.
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