A "devastated" dad-of-two from Bristol is seeking legal advice after concerns his cancer could have been detected sooner. Richard Scott has instructed lawyers to investigate after being diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer, reportedly 17 months after first visiting a GP complaining of symptoms.
The 41-year-old said he visited a GP after becoming concerned about blood in his poo and severe tiredness in March 2021. However, he claims no referral for further investigation was made and he was not diagnosed until August last year.
The Little Stoke resident, who has two young daughters aged 10 and six with wife Anny, said it was only on his third GP visit in May 2022 that a referral to a gastroenterology team was made. Following further tests he was diagnosed with bowel cancer, which had spread to his liver.
Read more: New Bristol Clean Air Zone exemptions for Bristol hospital patients
Richard, who is head of fundraising volunteering for a charity, said: "As the months went on my symptoms persisted, I trusted my GP’s advice and because they didn’t seem worried about my symptoms, I was reassured. Anny was worried and felt I wasn’t being listened too.
"The last few months following my diagnosis have been a real mix of emotions. My treatment, particularly while trying to come to terms with my diagnosis and how the cancer was very advanced has been difficult, not just physically but also emotionally and financially."
Richard has instructed medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate his care and help him access specialist support. He is also joining his legal team in supporting Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, calling for more awareness around the symptoms of bowel cancer and the importance of early diagnosis.
Rebecca Brown, the expert medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Richard, said: "Richard’s diagnosis has come as a devastating blow to him and his family. They’re all struggling to come to terms with the news and what it may mean for their future.
"Understandably Richard has a number of concerns about his care, including whether more could have been done to diagnosis his cancer sooner, and if so, the impact this has had on the level of treatment he has had and what the overall outcome from treatment will be.
"While nothing can make up for what he and his loved ones are going through, we’re determined to support them and provide Richard with the answers he deserves. Bowel Cancer Awareness Month is incredibly important in not only raising awareness of the signs of the disease but the importance of seeking medical advice as soon as possible.
"Early detection and treatment are key to beating cancer.” Richard said when he initially visited his GP in March 2021, tests were undertaken to check for inflammatory bowel disease and the results initially identified high levels of calprotectin, which returned to normal on further testing.
He says no other investigations were carried out until he returned in April 2022 reporting the same symptoms as well as aches, pains and more frequent visits to the toilet. Test showed high levels of calprotectin again.
His lawyers, who have not named the GP surgery, say a diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease was considered and a referral to gastroenterology was made - but this was not an urgent two-week referral for suspected cancer. Following further tests, Richard was diagnosed with bowel cancer last August.
He has since undergone six months of chemotherapy and recently had surgery to remove a tumour from his liver. He is recovering at home and awaiting advice on the next steps in his treatment, which he expects to involve further surgery which will leave him with a stoma.
'Life on hold'
Richard said: "We used to do everything as a family, go on holidays, trips, days out but that’s all on hold at the minute because of my illness. I’ve tried to remain as positive as I can, not only for myself and my recovery but for Anny and the children.
"However, it’s hard especially as I’m now reliant on Anny and she’s had to drop hours at work to help look after me. I face an uncertain future but am determined to give everything I can to fight this disease and spend as much time possible with my family.
“I can’t change what’s happened to me but as well as wanting answers I hope that my story can potentially help others by them being aware of the signs of cancer and accessing care as soon as they can. It’s vital that people don’t think they have to go through a cancer diagnosis alone as help and support is available.”
Bowel Cancer Awareness Month runs throughout April. The symptoms to be aware of are listed on the NHS website.
Read next:
- 300 Bristol and Weston hospital staff attacked or abused in last six months
- Lyme disease 'stay safe' warning issued as cases on rise in UK
- Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms: How to spot the signs in your feet
- Cleft treatment delays at Bristol Children's Hospital 'harmed' more than 100 youngsters
- Mystery bug spreading across Bristol leaving people feeling 'faint'
