A grandfather from Rotherham died from terminal bowel cancer after doctors twice dismissed his symptoms as haemorrhoids. James Beasley first sought medical help in March 2020 with rectal bleeding, but no examination was carried out.
The 68-year-old former caretaker returned nine months later with constipation, abdominal pain and more bleeding. Blood tests revealed anaemia - a potential warning sign of bowel cancer - but this wasn't flagged for follow-up.
James was finally diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer in October 2021, over a year after his first appointment. He died in February 2023, leaving behind his wife Christine, daughters Jane and Amanda, and grandchildren.
Medical failings acknowledged
Jane Beasley said: "Dad had been complaining about bowel problems for quite a while but trusted the doctors when they said it was probably haemorrhoids. When we were told it was bowel cancer, it completely floored us."
Yorkshire Live reports that the GPs' legal team acknowledged specific medical failings during settlement negotiations. These included inadequate medical history taking, failure to explore symptoms beyond haemorrhoids, and not acting on anaemia results.
The legal representatives conceded James should have been invited for a face-to-face consultation and referred via the NHS two-week cancer pathway for urgent investigation.
Family secures settlement
James's family instructed medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate his care. The firm secured an undisclosed out-of-court settlement, though the GPs denied liability.
The GPs expressed being "very sorry for the outcome" and offered "sincere condolences" through their legal representatives.
Emily Mansfield, the specialist medical negligence lawyer representing the family, said: "While nothing can make up for what's happened, we're pleased to have secured the answers the family deserve."
Raising awareness mission
Jane said her father was a "family man who loved spending time with his children and grandchildren" who "worried so much about the rest of us" even during his illness.
The family now hopes sharing James's story will prevent similar tragedies. Jane said: "If speaking out and raising awareness around bowel cancer can save just one person, it will have been worth it."
Bowel cancer symptoms include rectal bleeding, blood in stool, changes in bowel habits, unintentional weight loss, persistent tiredness and abdominal pain or lumps. Early detection and treatment are crucial for beating the disease.
Sources used: "The Mirror", "WalesOnline", "Yorkshire Live"
Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
