The husband of a GP and mother-of-three – who died in her 40s after her symptoms of bowel cancer were not acted upon early enough – has settled his medical misdiagnosis claim against the defendant GP practice that treated his wife.
Timeline of events
In summer 2021, Carrie began experiencing abdominal pain, rectal bleeding and changes in her bowel habits. Concerned, she submitted an online consultation to her GP practice and specifically asked for blood tests and a stool FIT test, which can help detect signs of bowel cancer.
Carrie described pain that sometimes distracted her from her daily routine, ongoing constipation and frequent rectal bleeding. She mentioned having intermittent high temperatures and feeling increasingly bloated.
Despite these symptoms, no face-to-face appointment or physical examination was offered. Although the GP ordered blood tests, they were normal and no follow-up action was taken. The FIT test she requested was declined as she was under 50.
Carrie contacted her GP again in winter 2021, explaining her symptoms had not improved. She now had night-time abdominal pain, reduced appetite and continued high temperatures. Her symptoms were worsening.
Eventually, a telephone consultation took place and Carrie shared how her bowel habits had changed drastically – now passing stools up to 10 times a day. She also reported weight loss and persistent bleeding.
A fast-track referral for suspected cancer was finally made, along with a FIT test. The test result was raised and she was now anaemic.
While waiting for a colonoscopy in early 2022, Carrie’s health deteriorated. She began vomiting, had daily fevers and grew increasingly concerned. Her husband arranged for her emergency hospital admission.
Investigations confirmed rectal cancer that had already spread to her liver and lungs. She was told her condition was advanced and incurable, but she could be given palliative treatment to help with symptoms.
Carrie underwent emergency surgery for a colostomy, radiotherapy and several rounds of chemotherapy in spring 2022. However, the cancer continued to spread, especially to her liver. Her condition worsened and she passed away at home.
How we helped Carrie’s family during their misdiagnosis case
Carrie’s husband instructed our team to investigate the negligent cancer care she had received. We found that her GP failed to follow national guidelines by not referring her urgently for suspected bowel cancer in summer 2021 when she first presented with red flag symptoms such as rectal bleeding, abdominal pain and a change in bowel habits.
Carrie should have been seen urgently, examined properly and referred under the two-week wait cancer pathway. Had this happened, her cancer would likely have been caught earlier before it had spread. She would have had a real chance to receive treatment aimed at controlling or even curing the disease.
Instead, by the time she was diagnosed in early 2022, her cancer was too advanced for curative treatment. She endured painful and distressing symptoms, including bowel obstruction, invasive treatments and emotional trauma from a sudden, life-changing colostomy. Carrie also experienced psychological distress from losing trust in her GP practice, which made her end-of-life care much more difficult.
A note from Melanie Minter
“This was a deeply upsetting case involving a healthcare professional who knew something was wrong but was not listened to. Carrie gave clear information about her symptoms and requested the right tests, but the care fell well below the standard she should expect. This delay in diagnosis meant that a window of opportunity was missed. Carrie was denied the chance to receive treatment that could have made a real difference.”
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