Health
Tragic Death Of 27-Year-Old Sparks Rule Change After Doctors Ignored Cancer Symptoms
After a 27-year-old died of cancer after contacting her doctor more than 20 times, general practitioners in the UK are being handed new guidelines for diagnosing patients.
UK resident Jessica Brady tragically died at the age of 27 after making multiple trips to her doctor’s office in the summer of 2020.
According to a BBC story, Brady was informed that she was “too young for cancer” and that she had indications of long-term COVID-19.
Her mother, Andrea, told BBC Radio 4’s Today program that she was fine when the epidemic started, but she had begun to feel ill in the summer before she passed away.
Her symptoms, however, became “increasingly debilitating.”
“She had unintentionally lost quite a lot of weight, had night sweats, chronic fatigue, a persistent cough and very enlarged lymph nodes,” Andrea stated. “But because of her age, it was obviously considered there wasn’t anything wrong.”
In order to determine what was wrong, Brady had three in-person appointments with a family physician and had contacted six different doctors at her doctor’s office.
However, it is said that no referral was made.
Brady was referred to a specialist, and the family ultimately scheduled a private appointment to obtain a second opinion.
Unfortunately, by the time she received a Stage 4 adenocarcinoma diagnosis in November 2020, it was too late to receive treatment.
Brady died a few days before Christmas, three weeks later.
According to Cleveland Clinic: “Adenocarcinoma is a type of cancer. It starts in the glands that line your organs.”
“Adenocarcinoma cancers can affect several areas of your body, including your lungs, stomach, pancreas and colon.”
In the wake of her passing, a new regulation known as Jess’ Rule was introduced for UK physicians.
In an effort to stop more deaths, it has been implemented throughout the National Health Service (NHS) today.
According to the press from NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care, patients who arrange three appointments will henceforth be subject to a “three strikes and rethink approach.”
The UK government’s press release explained: “In the five months leading up to her death, Jessica had more than twenty appointments with her GP (general practitioner) practice but eventually had to seek private healthcare.”
“She was later diagnosed with stage 4 adenocarcinoma. With such an advanced disease, there was no available treatment. She was admitted into hospital where she died three weeks later,” it added.
Although “survival rates vary depending on the location, stage, and type of adenocarcinoma,” the Cleveland Clinic states that treatment for the cancer type “includes surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy.”
GPs will now be asked to “think again if, after three appointments, they have been unable to offer a substantiated diagnosis” or if the patient’s symptoms continue to worsen, according to the new program.
The press statement continued: “While many GP practices already use similar approaches in complex cases, Jess’s Rule will make this standard practice across the country, aiming to reduce health inequalities and ensuring everyone – no matter their age or background – receives the same high standard of care.”
“Jess lived for just three short weeks following her terminal cancer diagnosis,” Andrea added in reference to the new rule that was part of the release.
“Despite her shock and devastation, she showed unfailing courage, positivity, dignity, and love. Jess was determined that people should understand how desperately she had tried to advocate for herself and seek a resolution for her declining health.”
“In the bleak weeks following the loss of Jess, I [realized] it was my duty to continue what she had started. It has taken nearly five years to bring about Jess’s Rule. I would like to dedicate this initiative to all the young people who have been diagnosed too late,” she added.
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