The relatives of a woman who says her uncommon and fast-spreading cancer was dismissed by medics on two occasions are pleading with others to persist when they sense something isn't right. Lauren Carey, 30, is attempting to tick off items from her 'bucket list' after learning her illness - squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder - cannot be cured.

Her sister Megan Carey, 28, is now urging anyone with doubts about their medical diagnosis to seek a second, third or even fourth opinion - following Lauren being initially "dismissed".

She said: "The doctors could definitely have done better. They have been awful. Lauren wanted to complain, but it is not worth it now because it takes years and she won't be here to see the outcome. If something is not right with your body just push and push, don't let the doctors fob you off."

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Lauren, a former supermarket duty manager, from Banstead, Surrey, was born with an unusual condition called bladder exstrophy, meaning her bladder developed on the outside of her body. The condition was corrected, but her bladder kept releasing involuntarily and, at only eight years old, she underwent her first major operation to have a catheter fitted, which she has relied on ever since.

Lauren was subsequently diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder three years ago - an uncommon and aggressive form of cancer resulting from her long-term catheter usage. Surgeons took out her bladder and fitted a stoma in its place, with the family told this operation would prevent the cancer from spreading further. However, last month, the family received devastating news that the cancer had returned and spread to her pelvis and abdomen, with no treatment options available.

Megan said: "It was sort of like she was dairy intolerant, every time she would eat certain food it would make her sick. The doctors just dismissed her and said it was IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome).

"She didn't believe it. She didn't feel unwell at this point, so she didn't believe it was cancer. Eventually they did a biopsy, which revealed that it is.

"It was awful to hear. We were devastated. They said from the start that if this cancer returned there was nothing they could do.

"Now we are just trying to make memories with her. I have done a lot of research on it and it is a fast-spreading cancer."

Megan, who lives in Horley, claims her sister's symptoms were repeatedly dismissed by medical professionals who misdiagnosed her cancer on both occasions. Initially, doctors told her it was merely a UTI, and the second time they suspected it was a food intolerance or IBS.

Subsequently, a lump discovered on her stomach was identified by doctors as a pocket of infection, before the pair learnt through the NHS app that Lauren was being referred to palliative care for cancer. Both NHS and private hospitals have informed the family that no treatment is available, as surgery would damage her organs and other treatments would destroy her immune system.

Megan admits she doesn't know how long her sister has left, so they're determined to create as many precious memories as possible. She's also urging others to keep pushing when they sense something is wrong, as she claims Lauren was repeatedly sent home with antibiotics.

She said: "My mum was never told that the catheter could cause cancer. I think it was a new thing, so they didn't even know the risks then.

"Every time she called the doctors, they wouldn't even see her, they would just put her on antibiotics and say it was a UTI. We had to keep pushing and pushing."

Megan has now launched a fundraiser to help Lauren tick off her bucket list as they prepare for what may be her final years. Top priorities include attending Lauren's nephews' birthday trip to Butlins in December, staying at Port Lympne safari park's animal lodges, and seeing singer Dermot Kennedy perform live.

The GoFundMe page has already raised more than £1,000, which Megan describes as incredible, though it's still short of covering the £1,000+ per night luxury lodges.

The mum-of-one said: "My sister is like my only friend. She is the only person I speak to.

"She has always loved animals and is desperate to go to Port Lympne and stay in the lodges where you can have the animals come up to the window. She really wants to go there so that is what we are trying to aim for. She has never wanted children, her animals are her children.

"I was very shocked when people started donating. When I told her that I started the GoFundMe she said 'no one is going to donate for me.' So, for her to see that people do actually care has been so nice."

A spokesperson for Modality East Surrey Medical Practice, which operates Lauren's GP surgery Birchwood Medical Practice, said: "As a practice, we have provided care for Ms Carey and her family and we will continue to support them during this very difficult time. We are truly sorry for what they are going through and our thoughts remain with them. If Ms Carey or her family have any questions or worries about the care they have received, the practice would gently encourage them to get in touch so that staff can listen, understand, and offer further help."