Teenager dies from rare cancer after symptoms were mistaken for hormonal problems
Liberty York died from angiosarcoma at home on 1 June 2025, two days after her 19th birthday, following a three-month delay in diagnosis. Her mother says symptoms were repeatedly attributed to hormonal problems, mastitis and an abscess, and that Liberty was told cancer was highly unlikely; the case has prompted a campaign focused on young cancer patients.
Liberty first felt unwell in May 2024, and a biopsy on 21 August found an aggressive soft-tissue cancer and a 10lb (4.5kg) tumour in her chest, which had spread to her lymph nodes. After a wait for a specialist hospital bed, she underwent surgery and chemotherapy, but the cancer spread to her lung and later returned near her surgical scar. She chose to stop treatment and receive end-of-life care at home.
- Liberty York died two days after turning 19.
- Her angiosarcoma diagnosis came three months after symptoms began.
- Her mother says the case shows young patients need better support.
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Angiosarcoma is a rare cancer that develops in the lining of blood vessels and can affect soft tissue. Because it is uncommon, its symptoms can resemble those of other conditions, and diagnosing it may require tests such as a biopsy, in which a small sample of tissue is examined.
Liberty York was 18 when she first became unwell in May 2024. Her mother says doctors initially linked her symptoms to hormonal problems, mastitis and an abscess; a biopsy later found an aggressive tumour in her chest that had spread to her lymph nodes.
Her case has drawn attention to the difficulties young people can face when seeking a cancer diagnosis and treatment. It has also prompted a campaign focused on young cancer patients.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Teenager died from cancer just two days after her 19th birthday after 10lb tumour dismissed as ‘hormone problems’”.