'Throughout this journey, she has never given up'

Five women are to scale Wales' highest mountain in tribute to their friend who has an incurable cancer, which she says has "taken over her life".

Gemma Phillips, 32, from Wroughton, Wiltshire, was diagnosed with leiomyosarcoma in 2022 and was given 12 to 18 months to live.

Her friends are climbing up Yr Wyddfa, also known as Snowdon, which reaches a peak of 1085m (3,560ft) to raise money for Sarcoma UK.

"It is difficult to realise this is happening to you, that your body has been taken over by this disease," Ms Phillips said.

One of the friends taking part, Julia Young, 32, added: "Throughout this journey, she has never given up fighting and has lived her life to the full."

Ms Phillips began experiencing severe back pain in 2020 but was repeatedly sent home with painkillers and a possible diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome.

It was not until March 2022 that she was finally diagnosed with the sarcoma and had an operation to remove a 10cm (4in) tumour.

In October 2023, a scan revealed she had three new tumours and the cancer had spread.

"I am really frustrated at the way I was treated. If I had been diagnosed earlier, it would have potentially prevented a lot of suffering.

"But I was just fobbed off with painkillers. I was turned away constantly. I was thinking, 'am I going mad?'," she said.

Her friend, Ms Young, from Gloucester, said Ms Phillips wanted to share her story with others and raise awareness of the disease.

"When we meet up it is hard to believe that she is currently fighting this devastating disease.

"She looks so well and she's always so positive. She is an inspiration to us all."

A sarcoma is a rare type of malignant tumour that develops in the bones and connective tissues.

About 525 people are diagnosed with leiomyosarcoma in England each year.

The national charity Sarcoma UK said it was currently undertaking five "groundbreaking" research projects specifically targeting leiomyosarcoma.

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