Madison Burgess
Warning: This article contains discussion of cancer which some readers may find distressing.
The NHS have introduced a landmark new initiative for GPs in the UK following one woman's heartbreaking cancer story.
Jess' Rule means that patients with a potentially deadly illness will be diagnosed sooner as doctors across the UK are set to take on a 'three strikes and rethink approach' after three appointments.
It will ask GPs to think again if, after three appointments, they have still been unable to offer a substantiated diagnosis, or the patient’s symptoms have escalated.
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The lifesaving initiative, which is being rolled out nationwide, has been named after Jessica Brady, a young woman who tragically died of cancer aged 27 after twenty appointments at her GP surgery failed to diagnose her condition.
Jess, who hailed from Stevenage, first began feeling unwell in the summer of 2020; however, as per the BBC, she was told that her symptoms were related to long Covid and that she was 'too young for cancer'.
Her mother, Andrea, recalled how her daughter got in touch with her GP practice repeatedly for five months as her symptoms became 'increasingly debilitating'.
Andrea told the publication: "She had unintentionally lost quite a lot of weight, had night sweats, chronic fatigue, a persistent cough and very enlarged lymph nodes. But because of her age, it was obviously considered there wasn't anything wrong."
Jess had appointments with six different doctors at her surgery as well as three face-to-face consultations with a family doctor; however, she was never referred on to a specialist.
It was at this point that she and her family decided to go private and see a specialist.
Jessica was given a devastating terminal stage 4 cancer diagnosis of adenocarcinoma, which is the cancer of the glands that line the organs, in November 2020.
With such an advanced disease, there was no available treatment, and Jessica was admitted into the hospital, where she tragically died just three weeks later.
Speaking about Jess' Rule, her mum Andrea said: "Jess lived for just three short weeks following her terminal cancer diagnosis. 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."
She added: "In the bleak weeks following the loss of Jess, I realised 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. It has only been made possible because of the people who have listened - politicians, medics, and the nearly half a million who supported the campaign."
Jess' Rule will encourage GPs to review patient records comprehensively, seek second opinions from colleagues, and consider specialist referrals when appropriate.
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting added: "Jessica Brady’s death was a preventable and unnecessary tragedy. I want to thank her courageous family, who have campaigned tirelessly through unimaginable grief to ensure Jessica’s legacy helps to save the lives of others.
"Patient safety must be the bedrock of the NHS, and Jess’ Rule will make sure every patient receives the thorough, compassionate, and safe care that they deserve, while supporting our hard-working GPs to catch potentially deadly illnesses."
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact Macmillan’s Cancer Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 8am–8pm seven days a week.