A grandfather passed away after his symptoms were misdiagnosed as hemorrhoids, leaving his family to witness his decline. James Beasley initially visited his GP in March 2020 with concerns about rectal bleeding. Despite no physical examination being conducted, he tragically succumbed to his illness three years later.
Returning to the doctor’s office in December of the same year, James reported constipation, abdominal pain, and continued bleeding. Despite a blood test being performed, the early signs of cancer were overlooked. It wasn’t until August 2021, when James sought help at the hospital, that his condition was taken seriously. Subsequent tests confirmed terminal bowel cancer in October, shocking his daughter.
James, a resident of Rotherham, South Yorkshire, succumbed to the disease at the age of 68 in February 2023, leaving behind his daughters Jane and Amanda, grandchildren, and wife Christine. Jane recounted her father’s struggle, noting his concern for his family even in the face of his own suffering.
Following his passing, James’ family sought legal assistance to investigate his medical care. The negligence lawyers successfully negotiated an undisclosed settlement with the GPs involved, despite their denial of liability. It was revealed that crucial aspects of James’ care were mishandled, including inadequate history-taking and failure to act on concerning blood test results.
The legal representatives of the GPs admitted to lapses in James’ care and expressed regret for the outcome. They acknowledged the necessary steps that should have been taken, including a face-to-face appointment, examination, and referral under the two-week cancer pathway. The family’s lawyer, Emily Mansfield, emphasized the family’s struggle and the importance of raising awareness about bowel cancer detection and treatment.
By sharing James’ story, the family aims to alert others to the signs of bowel cancer, highlighting the significance of early intervention in combating the disease.