Hertfordshire mum to meet Wes Streeting to push for Jess's Law
Jess Brady died after being diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, despite her GPs repeatedly saying she was suffering from long covid
Last updated 12th Dec 2024
On December 20th, 2020, 27-year-old Jessica Brady died from stage 4 adenocarcinoma.
The cancer had spread through her body, to her spine, liver, stomach, lungs, and lymph nodes.
She was entirely dependent on oxygen from the moment she was diagnosed on November 26th.
Less than one month later she had died.
Today, Jess's mother Andrea Brady, is to meet with the Health Secretary Wes Streeting, to speak with him about pushing forward with Jess's Law, which would see a patient's case to be elevated for review after the third contact with their GP surgery about a condition.
Jess's Story
Jess had repeatedly visited her GP surgery, with doctors saying she was suffering from Long Covid, despite negative coronavirus tests.
She had been ill for 6 months, but due to pandemic restrictions at the time, she was unable to see a doctor face-to-face, and simply prescribed antibiotics without a physical consultations.
Once Jess had been diagnosed with cancer, she was reliant on oxygen, a dependency which meant she was never able to return home.
The primary for Jess's cancer is unknown, but following dozens of appointments raised with her GP, her death could have been prevented.
Jess's family started a petition in her name to improve the awareness and diagnosis of cancer in young adults, with adults aged 25-49 contribute around a tenth of all new cancer cases, with double the incidence in females than males.
So far, it has reached over 414,300 signatures (as of 12/12/24).
Now, the Health Secretary Wes Streeting will be meeting with Jess's mum Andrea.
Jess's Law
Speaking with Greatest Hits Radio, Andrea Brady expressed her hopes that the Health Secretary will hear what their family has to say.
"It does come with a weight of responsibility because so many people contact us, almost daily, and share their similar stories which are equally devastating.
"I think very quickly we realised that we weren't only representing Jess, we were representing a lot of other people and also potentially future people.
"I think that's what makes me the most sad, that I think, in the time we started the petition, there have been many other Jess's."
"That's why I hope Mr Streeting really listens today, and listens to our proposal because we think if Jess's Law is brought in, it won't be costly to the Government, but it almost certainly will save lives."
Jess's family have expressed how difficult it is to campaign, but Jess was passionate, and her family will continue to fight for her voice to be heard.
"The end result was so shocking, I'm driven on by knowing Jess would want us to do this."
Andrea told Greatest Hits Radio that in the hospital, they were allowed to sit with Jess, and spend her last moments with her, which is something they have credited the staff with. However, Jess's death should not have escalated at the speed in which it did, and they will continue to fight for Jess's Law to be introduced, to prevent future deaths, similar to hers.
The petition for Jess's Law can be found here.
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