Although 3 weeks have passed since my last update, we have been working hard behind the scenes to make positive changes for Jess. We have met again with the Primary Care lead and Head of Cancer Services at the Department of Health and Social Care. Further discussions have taken place between Steve Barclay and also The Royal College of GPs. We have communicated our thoughts on recent developments. Today, I wanted to share with you our most recent communication with the government.

“We understand the government is working hard to realise their target to diagnose 75% of cancers at stages 1 and 2. We also appreciate the most effective way to achieve this target is to focus on the demographic where cancer is most prevalent. Whilst this may help many, we feel this does not adequately address poor early diagnosis rates in the under 50s. Part of our campaign states that statistical likelihood should not be a determining factor in referring for specialist testing. We need to have a health service where a diagnosis is symptom led and not led by probability. Currently, younger people are placed at a distinct disadvantage. It is devastating that Jess, at 27, lost the equivalent number of years to at least half a dozen older people.

There is clearly a gap between some geographical areas of the country and socio-economic groups. This is a natural area of focus. However, Jess’ demographic was clearly a disadvantage. As a non-smoker, non-drinking, young professional.

We note the focus on home testing, for example, bowel cancer. Once again, this home testing needs to be available to younger people presenting with red-flag symptoms. Too often our younger generations, experiencing bowel problems, are dismissed with reassurances that their symptoms are merely, for example, hormonal, stress-related, food intolerances or allergies.

In short, our concern is, the government, in trying to improve the diagnosis of cancer are focusing on the ‘easy’ to target cancers in older patients which will yield the best results. We would like to see changes where unconscious biases against the young are eradicated.

As we mentioned, our call for GP training to improve awareness and increase early cancer diagnosis for all is for it to be as impactful and accessible as possible. We have no desire to place an additional burden upon an already overstretched service. We firmly believe that the training should be statutory and annual. The least onerous and effective approach would be online training, which can be adapted accordingly each year. Within this training there should be the message, cancer can happen to anyone, at any age and there is a duty of care to protect ALL patients.”

We thank you again for your support, you are the driving force behind this petition. Please continue to share widely. Many people will think what happened to Jess will not happen to them. It may not. I hope it doesn’t. However, if the unthinkable happens, I hope the diagnosis is fast and the chance to live is given.

For beautiful Jess, who was always so compassionate, brave, and dignified.