A mother was left heartbroken after her daughter died from stage 4 cancer after being told by her GP that she had a UTI infection and Covid.
Jessica Brady, 26, fought to get a face-to-face GP appointment during the pandemic but was told her symptoms were ‘nothing serious’ during virtual appointments.
She was told she had a UTI infection, Covid and long Covid by the NHS, despite not providing a urine sample and numerous Covid tests disputing the diagnosis.
But then she began to experience acute postnasal drip, vomiting, weight loss and a cough that lasted five months.
Eventually, she resorted to a private self-referral and was told she had stage 4 cancer of an unknown primary, which meant the cancer in her body was so advanced that no one was able to identify where the cancer originated.
Jessica Brady, 26, pictured with her mum Andrea. Jessica was told by GPs that her symptoms were not serious
Jessica’s cancer had spread to her spine, liver, stomach, lungs, bones and lymph nodes
Sadly, just three weeks later, Jessica died.
Writing in Metroher mother Andrea said: ‘Jess died three weeks after her diagnosis, on 20 December 2020.
‘Vibrant and vital, with a journal full of her aspirations. There is no way to describe the devastation.
‘It is raw, visceral. The greatest fear of any parent is losing their child. We are their creators and protectors.’
Jessica’s cancer had spread to her spine, liver, stomach, lungs, bones and lymph nodes.
She had contacted her GP surgery 20 times, but her diagnoses were ‘unsubstantiated’, Andrea claims.
Jessica was told she had a UTI infection, Covid and long Covid by the NHS , despite not providing a urine sample and numerous Covid tests disputing the diagnosis
Jessica began to experience acute postnasal drip, vomiting, weight loss and a cough that lasted five months
Jessica was admitted to hospital on the same day as her diagnosis where she could not leave her bed because of her oxygen requirements
Andrea believes that her daughter, a satellite engineer by profession, was the subject of ‘unconscious bias’.
Because she was young and not a high risk for cancer, her GP assumed there was nothing seriously wrong with her.
‘If just one of the four doctors who dealt with Jess had taken a moment to think again and review her case afresh, then possibly, she may have been the lucky one,’ Andrea added.
‘Or at least she may have stood a chance. She deserved that.
‘To be told there is no hope, you will die, and soon, is the lowest of the low.’
Jessica was admitted to hospital on the same day as her diagnosis where she could not leave her bed because of her oxygen requirements.
The medics wept because of the hopelessness of her diagnosis and three weeks later she died in the early hours of the morning while her loved ones slept.
Andrea is now campaigning for positive change as a result of her daughter’s tragic death.
In the last three years, a campaign for Jess’ Law had amassed more than 323,000 signatures.
Andrea said: ‘The proposal for Jess’s Law is simple: If, after three consultations, a patient’s condition remains unresolved, or the symptoms are escalating and/or they have no substantiated diagnosis, the patient’s case should be elevated for review and a new assessment made.
‘”Three strikes and we rethink.” Sound judgment, one would think?
Jessica was a fan of the NHS rainbows and had made Instagram posts praising the NHS ‘heroes’ during the pandemic
Andrea is now campaigning for positive change as a result of her daughter’s tragic death
‘Jess’s Law may appear to be stating the obvious, but our campaign demonstrates this is sadly not the case.
‘Countless accounts, shared with me, show clearly that GPs are not proactive in “thinking again” when patients present with the same symptom or condition.
‘Most commonly, I’ve heard that doctors do not deviate from their initial diagnosis, even when this is unsubstantiated.
‘The result of not feeling empowered to critically rethink a case is cancers are often diagnosed too late.
‘The horror of what happened to Jess and the incredible support for both the petition and our charity, Jessica Brady CEDAR Trust should spur action. ‘
Jessica was a fan of the NHS rainbows and had made Instagram posts praising the NHS ‘heroes’ during the pandemic.
Andrea concluded: ‘Jess was right, many NHS workers are heroes, but they are also human. Fallible humans.
‘There was a distinct absence of swishing capes and superpowers when Jess most needed them.
‘She was met with plethora of platitudes and ‘I know best’ attitudes. We need to support our medical professionals to be curious, proactive and diagnose early.
‘To stop other people experiencing the utter devastation of losing the people they love the most.’