A mother-of-two with terminal cervical most cancers says a ‘unfavourable’ smear check from three years earlier than her prognosis confirmed indicators of most cancers.
Lisa Stannard, 52, says the failure to diagnose her most cancers earlier ‘devastated’ her complete life – leaving her with simply months to dwell, in response to medical doctors.
The mum of Holly, 20, and Will, 16, from Banwell, Somerset, was first recognized with invasive cervical most cancers in 2018 and underwent therapy which left her with ‘no indicators’ of most cancers.
The most cancers returned in August 2021 and was once more handled with a mix of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and brachytherapy – however it has since returned once more and is now incurable.
A later audit of a smear check she accomplished in 2015 confirmed that analysts at North Bristol NHS Belief had didn’t establish some irregular cells on the time – which ordinarily would have seen her obtain a two-week referral and additional investigation.
The Belief apologised to Lisa in 2020 and admitted that, had she been handled on the time, her most cancers might have been prevented – however denies legal responsibility and says the exams have been carried out to an ‘acceptable’ customary.
Lisa Stannard and her two youngsters Holly and Will.
(Irwin Mitchell / SWNS)
She has since instructed specialist medical negligence attorneys at Irwin Mitchell to analyze after NHS bosses denied legal responsibility for her late prognosis.
The previous administrative assistant for a church is now hoping to boost consciousness for the situation as a part of Cervical Most cancers Prevention Week, which runs between Jan 23-29.
She mentioned: “I’ve all the time understood the significance of attending each smear check and been very conscious of the dangers if you don’t attend however after I was advised my check was unfavourable I didn’t actually suppose a lot of it.
“After I began experiencing my signs I knew it was finest to hunt medical recommendation however the information that I had most cancers was quite a bit to soak up. I used to be very apprehensive about having to inform Holly and Will and was afraid of the therapy.
“After my preliminary therapy I used to be very unwell. I used to be in mattress for 5 weeks and unable to do something bodily. I used to be exhausted, discovered it tough to maneuver because of the ache that I used to be in so after I was advised the most cancers had gone it was large reduction.
“I felt I used to be making good progress. I used to be again to work and was in a position to exit once more and meet mates. However then not lengthy after I felt as issues began to be getting worse. I began experiencing ache however nothing ready me for the information that the most cancers had come again.
“I’ve tried to battle it as a lot as doable however I’m conscious that my situation will solely worsen with time.
“Earlier than my prognosis I lived a contented life and was fortunate sufficient to undergo from no vital well being issues.
“I did lots of neighborhood work and helped prepare occasions corresponding to jumble gross sales, a village carnival in addition to bake gross sales and discos for the youngsters.
“I used to be stored very busy with my neighborhood work, and my life revolved round my youngsters. Nonetheless, that’s all modified now I battle to do something with out the assistance of others.
“Most cancers has devastated my complete life. Probably the most upsetting factor is seeing the impression it’s had on my youngsters who’ve needed to miss out on massive components of their lives to assist me. To have to inform them that I’ll not have lengthy to dwell was indescribably upsetting for us all.
“I do know I face an unsure future and wish to try to spend as a lot time as I can with my household, however I additionally really feel I deserve solutions about my prognosis.
“I simply hope that talking out I can even increase consciousness of the indicators and signs of cervical most cancers to assist others.”
James Pink, the professional medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Lisa, mentioned: “By way of our work we sadly proceed to see the horrible impression most cancers has on households and the way many individuals are left wanting solutions following a prognosis.
“Understandably Lisa and her family members are devastated by her prognosis and what the longer term might maintain particularly whereas having considerations concerning the occasions that unfolded within the lead as much as her preliminary prognosis.
“We proceed to assist Lisa and are decided to supply her with the solutions she deserves. We name on the Belief to work with us to resolve her case, permitting Lisa to give attention to spending time along with her household.
“Within the meantime we be a part of her in supporting Cervical Most cancers Prevention Week which is an extremely vital marketing campaign in elevating consciousness of indicators and signs of the illness, the necessity to participate in screening and the assistance and assist accessible following prognosis.”