I believe the answer to the question, “Where do we go from here?” is “onwards.” Last year, I began by saying, “We have come too far to give up now.” Nothing that happened in 2024 has made me think we have progressed significantly enough to stop Jess’s campaign.
This week, the government discussed their long-term cancer plan, emphasising:
- Preventing cancer by encouraging healthier lifestyles.
- Identifying people most at risk and targeting diagnostics.
- Utilising the most modern treatments and technologies.
I applaud any initiative aimed at reducing cancer incidence and ensuring quick treatment. These are important steps. However, not all cancer patients lead ‘unhealthy’ lives. Jess did not smoke or drink, her diet was primarily vegetarian, she exercised regularly, and she was not overweight. She was young and not ‘at risk’.
GPs must be encouraged to consider cancer in patients with red-flag symptoms whose condition is not improving—regardless of statistical likelihood or demographic. Too many young people are diagnosed too late because it is assumed they “won’t have cancer.”
Primary Care professionals need support to address unconscious bias, reconsider initial diagnoses, and think critically about symptoms. This is especially urgent now that we know cancer incidence rates in the UK among people aged 25–49 increased by approximately 22% between 1993–95 and 2016–18.
We must ensure the legislation of Jess’s Law, which encourages Primary Care doctors to stop dismissing and start rethinking patients’ symptoms.
The proposal for Jess’s Law is simple: if, after three consultations, a patient’s condition remains unresolved, their symptoms are escalating, or no substantiated diagnosis has been made, their case should be escalated for review and reassessment. Three strikes, and we rethink.
Please continue to support and share Jess’s petition. You are the voice of change, and you can make a difference.
Thank you so much.