Jessica Brady, a 27-year-old woman from the UK, tragically lost her life to stage four adenocarcinoma in December 2020. Her family’s relentless pursuit for answers and justice has shed light on the devastating consequences of delayed diagnosis and inadequate medical care.
Jessica’s health began to decline in the summer of 2020, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite her persistent efforts to seek medical attention, she was repeatedly dismissed by doctors, who attributed her symptoms to Long Covid. Jessica’s family recalls her undergoing 20 GP appointments and two A&E visits, only to be met with skepticism and misdiagnosis.
The turning point came when Jessica consulted a private doctor, who finally diagnosed her with stage four adenocarcinoma. The cancer had spread to her spine, liver, stomach, lungs, and lymph nodes, leaving her with a devastating prognosis. Jessica passed away just three weeks later, leaving her family shattered and seeking answers.
Jessica’s family has since launched the Jessie Brady CEDAR Trust, a campaign aimed at raising awareness about the importance of timely diagnosis, particularly among young people. The trust seeks to bring about a change in the law, ensuring that patients receive prompt and accurate diagnoses. The proposed law would require a patient’s case to be ‘elevated for review’ after three visits to the doctor regarding an ongoing condition or symptom.
The Department of Health and Social Care has acknowledged the missed opportunities for earlier diagnosis and has met with Jessica’s parents to discuss measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future. Jessica’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the need for greater awareness, support, and research into cancer diagnosis, particularly among young people.
