Timely diagnosis and commencement of treatment is of vital importance when it comes to cancer. If there is a delay in diagnosis occurring and a consequential delay in starting treatment, this can have devastating consequences. It can allow the cancer to spread and such spread may result in the cancer no longer being able to be cured.

This was sadly the case for Margaret Jones, a 76 year old lady from Fareham in Hampshire. Margaret, a much loved mum and grandma to 10 grandchildren, has now sadly passed away due to lung cancer, leaving her family heartbroken. What makes this even more devastating is that there was evidence of the cancer on scans just short of 5 years earlier and nothing was done to treat the cancer at that early stage before it had spread elsewhere in her body.

In February 2019, Margaret was undergoing a course of radiotherapy treatment for an already diagnosed breast cancer. Whilst she was undergoing this, she had a CT scan from which concerns were raised in respect of the upper right lung. In spite of this, the finding was not reported nor raised to her treating oncologist for further investigations.

Margaret then went on to develop a persistent cough and so, in 2022, she had a chest x-ray to investigate the cause of this. The chest x-ray, at the time, was reported as being all clear; however, it has since been ascertained that the tumour, as noted in the 2019 CT scan, is in fact visible on this scan as well.

Margaret did not receive a diagnosis of lung cancer until December 2023; leading up to this, as well as a continuous cough, she also began to suffer weight loss and loss of appetite. These symptoms and in particular, a continuous cough, are well known symptoms of lung cancer. Other classic symptoms can include:

• A change in a cough that you have had for a long time.  

• Shortness of breath.  

• Coughing up blood.  

• An ache or pain in the chest or shoulder.  

• Loss of appetite.  

• Losing weight  

• Feeling very tired.  

• Ongoing chest infections.

For more information regarding lung cancer, please consider our lung cancer awareness month article here Lung Cancer Awareness Month – November 2024 – Williamsons Solicitors

It is important to be aware of the signs of symptoms of lung cancer, so that they can be raised with medical professionals at the earliest opportunity. There is a better chance of cure of lung cancer when diagnosed at an earlier stage. Unfortunately for Margaret however, she was let down by those involved with her care, whom she trusted implicitly to act upon any concerning signs and take appropriate care of her health.

When it was diagnosed, the doctors disclosed that it could in fact have been diagnosed much earlier. Unfortunately, by the time it was diagnosed, the cancer had spread to her brain and her bones. If the cancer had been caught sooner, this could have likely been treated before there was any spread elsewhere in her body and prevented her sad passing in August 2024.

Her daughter, Sarah said: “”Mum didn’t want this to happen to anyone else, so we as a family are speaking out in the hope we can stop this happening again, to save even one more family being torn apart as we have been.”

If you or a loved one have suffered delayed diagnosis of lung cancer, please contact our Medical Negligence team. Here at Williamsons, we have extensive experience in representing those who have experienced delay with cancer diagnosis and treatment and have secured substantial sums of compensation to help with their futures. Although this does not change what has happened, obtaining compensation can go some way to help, such as by providing peace of mind and financial reassurance. As well as compensation, we are tireless in our pursuit for justice for our clients and we recognise the importance of securing acknowledgment of failings and apologies. If you would like to speak to one of our experienced team, please contact Williamsons on 01482 323697.