A grandfather passed away after his symptoms were misdiagnosed as hemorrhoids, leaving his family to witness his decline. James Beasley initially sought medical help in March 2020 for rectal bleeding but received no examination. Subsequently, he returned in December with additional complaints of constipation, abdominal pain, and continued bleeding, where a blood test failed to detect cancer signs.
It wasn’t until August 2021 that James was taken seriously at a hospital visit and diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer in October, shocking his daughter. Sadly, James, from Rotherham, south Yorkshire, succumbed to the illness at the age of 68 in February 2023, leaving behind his wife, daughters, and grandchildren.
Reflecting on her father’s ordeal, Jane Beasley expressed their initial trust in the doctors’ misdiagnosis of hemorrhoids, which later turned out to be devastating news of terminal cancer. Despite his own suffering, James remained concerned about his family, showcasing his selfless nature. His health deteriorated rapidly, and his family mourned the helplessness of watching him endure his final days.
Following a series of medical oversights, James’ condition worsened until his eventual diagnosis in October 2021. Despite undergoing palliative chemotherapy and receiving a life expectancy of 12 months in January 2022, James passed away 13 months later, remembered as a devoted family man.
In the aftermath of James’ passing, his family sought legal assistance to investigate potential negligence in his care. Subsequently, an out-of-court settlement was reached with the involved GPs, who acknowledged lapses in James’ treatment, including missed opportunities for timely intervention.
Emily Mansfield, the family’s legal representative, highlighted the family’s struggle to come to terms with James’ loss and emphasized the importance of raising awareness about bowel cancer symptoms for early detection and treatment. Through sharing James’ story, his family aims to educate others about the significance of early intervention in combating this disease.