Washington [US], April 20: Acclaimed actress Olivia Williams, recognized for her performances in The Crown and The Sixth Sense, has bravely shared her personal battle with pancreatic cancer, shedding light on the devastating impact of years-long misdiagnosis.
In a deeply emotional revelation, Williams disclosed she had visited 10 doctors across three countries over four years, only to be repeatedly misdiagnosed — at various points with lupus, perimenopause, and other cancers. She was even referred for psychiatric evaluation, despite persistent symptoms.
“If someone had f–ing well diagnosed me in the four years I’d been saying I was ill… then one operation possibly could have cleared the whole thing and I could describe myself as cancer-free, which I cannot now ever be,” Williams told Deadline.
Eventually, she was correctly diagnosed with VIPoma, a rare neuroendocrine tumour of the pancreas. By the time of diagnosis, the cancer had metastasized, requiring multiple surgeries and treatments, including targeted internal radiotherapy.
Now an advocate for Pancreatic Cancer UK, Williams is calling for the development and implementation of an affordable early detection test, hoping her story sparks widespread awareness.
“I’m not looking for sympathy, I’m looking for a cheap, early test,” she said, emphasizing that early detection could save lives.
As Pancreatic Cancer UK’s charity of the year for the TCS London Marathon, Williams is channeling her experience into action, aiming to fund research and promote vigilance around the often undetectable disease.
“This is where I get emotional,” she added, underscoring the urgent need to educate both the public and medical professionals on the early signs of pancreatic cancer — a disease often discovered too late for curative treatment.
Her courageous openness serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of listening to patients, pushing for better diagnostic tools, and ensuring no one’s symptoms are dismissed or overlooked.