Thank you so much for supporting this petition created in memory of our lovely Jess and too many other young people who have lost their lives far too soon.

The petition was delivered to No 10 last Monday. Now, we await the official response from the Prime Minister. We will keep you posted. 

As I type this, the petition has nearly tipped 212,000 signatures. Thank you, to each and every one of you, for making this possible. Please continue to share with friends, family and colleagues. 

Please also consider writing to your MP; we will need their support when this petition is debated in parliament.

You may wish to use the proforma below.

Dear (insert name of MP here)

I am writing to you to urge you to back a petition to ‘Improve the awareness and diagnosis of cancer in young adults’ and to call for a parliamentary debate discussing the important issues raised:

•             Funding must be ring-fenced to allow GP’s to respond with utmost urgency in referring ALL patients.

•             Steps must be taken to facilitate an increase in safe face to face consultations.

•             Once referred, hospitals require more specialist staff and equipment to make the immediate and necessary diagnosis.

•             Campaigns are essential to increase awareness of cancer in people in their 20’s, 30’s and 40’s.

https://www.change.org/p/matt-hancock-improve-the-awareness-and-diagnosis-of-cancer-in-young-adults

This petition was created in memory of Jessica Brady who died on the 20th December 2020. She was 27 years old. She had been ill for 6 months, but the spring/summer lockdown meant face to face consultations with her GP were restricted, she was prescribed numerous medications including countless courses of anti-biotics and steroids, even without an examination. She was told for months she was suffering from Long Covid despite two negative coronavirus tests. She was finally diagnosed with cancer on the 26th November. Her dependency upon oxygen from this date meant she did not leave the hospital or ever return home. It was discovered that Jess had stage 4 adenocarcinoma with an unknown primary. It had spread throughout her body, to her spine, liver, stomach, lungs, bones, and lymph nodes. This was obviously devastating for her family, shattering their world.

The unimaginable journey the family have been on with Jess has led them to unravelling some unsettling truths. According to Cancer Research UK adults aged 25-49 contribute around a tenth of all new cancer cases, with double the incidence in females than males. Currently, this age group are not prioritised although many cancers are aggressive and require immediate treatment. Despite being too young to be ignored they often are. They are the forgotten generations. Too old for their diagnosis to be truly shocking and too young to be deemed at serious risk. Covid is undoubtedly exacerbating the situation.

Heartbreakingly, Jess’ story is not an isolated case. Hundreds of people have come forward as a result of this petition sharing their painfully similar experiences with young family and friends. We must stop dismissing our future generations and extinguishing precious lives.

The message is simple: more recognition, more funding, more early diagnosis = fewer lives lost. Please be the MP who stands up for these essential changes, making a necessary lasting impact for our future generations.

Yours sincerely

(Insert your name)