A new regulation called ‘Jess’s Rule’ has been implemented following the tragic death of Jessica Brady at the age of 27 from cancer, which went undiagnosed despite multiple GP appointments.
In December 2020, Jessica, from Stevenage, passed away after being diagnosed with stage 4 cancer just three weeks earlier. Despite seeking help from her GP practice around 20 times in the preceding six months, her symptoms were not taken seriously.
Her mother, Andrea Brady, shared that Jessica had been repeatedly prescribed antibiotics without a proper examination during the lockdown, being mistakenly told she had Long Covid despite negative tests.
An engineer at Airbus, Jess experienced symptoms like abdominal pain, coughing, vomiting, and weight loss, but her age led doctors to dismiss the severity of her condition.
After a private referral in November 2020, she was diagnosed with stage 4 adenocarcinoma, a cancer type originating in mucous glands that had spread extensively in her body, including her spine, liver, stomach, lungs, and lymph nodes.
Despite receiving treatment in the hospital, Jessica sadly passed away three weeks post-diagnosis. Her mother expressed Jessica’s courageous battle and determination to seek proper healthcare.
The NHS has now introduced ‘Jess’s Rule’, urging GPs to reconsider and seek further opinions if a diagnosis is elusive or symptoms worsen after three appointments. The new approach includes physical examinations, additional testing, and specialist referrals as needed.
In response to the initiative, Jess’s mother highlighted the ongoing effort to honor her daughter’s memory and advocate for timely diagnoses. Health Secretary Wes Streeting emphasized the importance of patient safety and learning from such tragedies to enhance healthcare services and prevent similar losses.