My mum died of pancreatic cancer just two hours after she was diagnosed. Doctors dismissed her heartburn for years - I don't want other families to go through the same heartbreak

A woman whose persistent heartburn was dismissed by doctors for years died of pancreatic cancer just two hours after she was diagnosed. For four years, Lynda and her family knew that something wasn't right with her health. The once active grandmother found herself struggling with near-constant stomach and back pain, as well as chronic indigestion – which left her regularly struggling with acid reflux.Lynda also began losing weight for no apparent reason. Yet, despite frequent appointments and a string of different medications, doctors dismissed her symptoms as due to her existing type 2 diabetes. It wasn't until she suddenly developed jaundice – the yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes – that Lynda's discomfort was finally taken seriously. Hospitalised and subjected to a barrage of tests, Lynda was finally given a diagnosis of stage 4 pancreatic cancer in March of this year. The cancer had already spread throughout her body. And tragically, she passed away just two hours later. Now, her daughter is warning of the key signs of her mother's illness that went missed for so long. Lynda (left) died just two hours after she was finally diagnosed with pancreatic cancer following years of health uncertainty, which her daughter Kayleigh (right) said motivated her to raise awareness'We didn't know that these could be signs of pancreatic cancer, and we never imagined that this was what was happening to her,' says daughter Kayleigh. 'Looking back, there were so many changes in Mam's health, but no one connected the dots in her symptom journey.'I'm sharing our experience because I don't want another family to go through the same fear, uncertainty and heartbreak. 'I want people to know the symptoms, to listen to their bodies and to seek medical advice when something doesn't feel right.'Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest forms of the disease, with just one in four patients living more than a year.The pancreas, a palm-sized, pear-shaped gland, sits behind the stomach and plays a vital role in digestion. Because of its location, deep within the abdomen, tumours in the pancreas often cause few symptoms early on, meaning the disease is typically diagnosed at a late stage, when treatment is difficult. As a result, of the nearly 10,500 people in the UK who are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer every year, more than half die within three months of diagnosis. The grandmother, pictured with Kayleigh on her graduation day, suffered chronic indigestion and other symptoms which were blamed on her diabetes for yearsYet experts say there are some clear signs of the condition that patients – and doctors – must look out for. In Lynda's case, it was chronic back and stomach pain that provided the first clue that something was wrong. Persistent mid‑back pain that feels as though it's travelled from the front of the body could indicate pancreatic cancer, research shows. The specific type of back pain is a result of the position of the organ, which sits deep in the abdomen, close to the spine.As a tumour grows, it can press on nearby nerves, especially those behind the pancreas, causing persistent mid-back pain.The cancer can cause heartburn for the same reason. When a large tumour grows in the pancreas, it can press against the stomach, slowing down or blocking normal stomach emptying.As a result food, acid and gas can back up into the oesophagus – triggering a burning sensation. Unexplained weight loss, such as that experienced by Lynda, can be a sign of a range of cancers. What are the possible symptoms of pancreatic cancer? Symptoms can include:Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes).Tummy or back pain.Unexplained weight loss.Changes in bowel habits.Persistent indigestion or bloating.Feeling or being sick.Loss of appetite or feeling full quickly.New-onset diabetes.These symptoms do not necessarily mean pancreatic cancer. However, anyone experiencing symptoms that are persistent, new or getting worse should seek medical advice. This is partly due to the fact that the pancreas produces enzymes that help break down fat, carbohydrates and protein.If a tumour is blocking this function, food cannot be properly digested and nutrients cannot be absorbed, resulting in rapid weight loss.Cancer can also speed up the body's use of energy – tumours release chemicals that speed up metabolism and cause the body to burn calories faster than usual.Jaundice, likewise, is one of the most common early symptoms of the disease.Caused by the build-up of bilirubin, a yellowish-brown substance in liver bile, jaundice can occur when a tumour in the pancreas is pressing against the bile duct, causing a blockage. Finally, the sudden development of diabetes can be both a sign and a symptom of the disease.The pancreas produces insulin, a hormone needed to move sugar from the blood into cells, where it can be burned as energy.But tumours in the pancreas can destroy insulin-producing cells, leading to rising blood sugar levels which can appear as new-onset diabetes.Paula Hanford, CEO of Pancreatic Cancer Action, said Lynda's case highlighted the importance of awareness around pancreatic cancer symptoms, particularly when they could be blamed on existing conditions.She added: 'We cannot know whether an earlier diagnosis would have changed Lynda's outcome, but we do know that greater awareness can help people recognise symptoms and seek medical advice sooner.'Our message is simple: don't dismiss persistent changes, keep asking questions and look out for the people you love.' Pancreatic cancer, which affects the palm-sized, pear-shaped gland behind the stomach, has been steadily rising in recent decades In August, the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman ordered medics to apologise to the family of one patient after an 'unreasonable delay in recognising specific symptoms' of their pancreatic cancer.Following months of symptoms initially diagnosed as diabetes, the unnamed patient asked their doctor whether they might have the disease, after which gastroenterology tests confirmed they did.The patient died six weeks later.After an investigation the ombudsman found 'red flag symptoms of pancreatic cancer' had been clear from the patient's first doctor's appointment.'From this point until the urgent suspicion of cancer referral, there were missed opportunities to recognise the significance of A's symptoms and refer them onward for further investigation,' the watchdog said.It also criticised the patient's GP for an 'unreasonable reliance on telephone consultations', which may have exacerbated the delay in their diagnosis.Kayleigh said her Lynda was a 'resilient woman' who had 'overcome significant health challenges throughout her life', adding: 'She was at the heart of her family and loved nothing more than having her loved ones around her.'She said: 'I don't want Mam to be remembered only for how she died. 'I want people to know the incredible woman she was, how much she loved her family, and how much she had already overcome.'But I also want her story to mean something.'