A new healthcare guideline named ‘Jess’s Rule’ has been established in response to the tragic passing of Jessica Brady, who died of cancer at 27 following undiagnosed symptoms. Jessica Brady was diagnosed with advanced cancer after numerous unsuccessful visits to her GP, leading to her death just three weeks later.
Before her demise in December 2020, Jessica, a resident of Stevenage, sought medical help about 20 times in the six months leading up to her passing. Despite her persistent symptoms like abdominal pain, coughing, and weight loss, medical professionals did not take her condition seriously, attributing her ailments to Long Covid despite negative coronavirus tests.
Following a private referral funded by her mother, Jessica was diagnosed with stage 4 adenocarcinoma in November 2020, which had spread to multiple organs in her body. Adenocarcinoma is a type of cancer that originates in mucous glands within organs and can lead to the formation of tumors due to abnormal cell growth.
Despite being put on oxygen in the hospital, Jessica succumbed to the disease within three weeks of her diagnosis. Her mother expressed Jess’s determination to advocate for her health despite the challenges she faced.
In memory of Jessica, the NHS has introduced ‘Jess’s Rule’, urging doctors to reassess cases where a diagnosis is elusive or symptoms worsen after three appointments. Physicians are instructed to seek additional opinions, conduct physical examinations, order more tests, and provide specialist referrals when necessary.
Jessica’s mother, reflecting on the loss, emphasized the importance of patient safety and the need to learn from tragedies to enhance healthcare practices. Health Secretary Wes Streeting acknowledged Jessica’s family for their advocacy efforts in ensuring that such preventable losses do not recur in the healthcare system.