Leanne Rinne,in East Mallingand

Tanya Gupta,South East

BBC Victoria Rodwell is sitting on a sofa at home. She has long brown hair and is wearing a black T-shirt. A candle is burning next to her and there is a vase of flowers on a cupboard, with a certificate from her 2022 Channel swim and her engagement picture.BBC

Victoria Rodwell said she had not been trusted or believed

A PE teacher has told how she went from swimming the Channel to struggling to get through each day after doctors failed to diagnose she had cancer.

Victoria Rodwell, 31, from East Malling, who swam the Channel in 2022, enjoyed scuba diving, played hockey and netball, and ran half-marathons.

She said she visited her GP, and later Kent and London hospital specialists, 20 times over 16 months after having difficulties swallowing, but was told nothing was wrong. On 15 January, she was diagnosed with stage four oesophageal cancer.

The BBC has approached Rodwell’s GP for comment. Meanwhile, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust said it was looking into her concerns.

Victoria Rodwell Victoria Rodwell is swimming in the sea, doing front crawl. She is wearing a swimsuit, goggles and a swimming hat, and is turning on her side to breathe. the water is turquoise under a blue sky and there are drops of water on the camera lens.Victoria Rodwell

Rodwell swam the Channel in 2022

As first reported by Kent Online, Rodwell said she was first prescribed laxatives, heartburn medication and antidepressants.

She told how her health rapidly deteriorated and in five months she lost over 23kg (3st 8lb) and could barely swallow.

Rodwell, who got engaged in 2025, was then told she would not be able to have a baby because of the treatment and the type of cancer.

“I feel like they completely ruined my life, not trusting and believing me,” she said.

“Not one person took me seriously or followed up any of what I’d been asking for.

“I’m not an individual that’s in there with a cough or a cold or wasting NHS time.

“I was in there with a serious condition. If they had picked it up before, I wouldn’t have to be fighting for my life.”

Victoria Rodwell A grainy, selfie shows Victoria Rodwell and her partner, Ben Stevens, in a close-up photograph on the day they got engaged. She is holding up her left hand to show her engagement ring. He is wearing a light blue jumper and she has a black jacket with with a pink fluffy scarf underneath. They are both smiling and looking happy.Victoria Rodwell

Rodwell and Ben Stevens got engaged in 2025

Dr Clare Wykes, deputy medical director at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust said: “We understand how devastating a cancer diagnosis is for any patient.

“While we cannot discuss individual details publicly, the patient has shared her concerns with us, and we are looking into them carefully.

“We will continue to make sure she has the care, information and support she needs during this very difficult time.”