A British woman, Marie Stibbe, 79, was diagnosed with liver cancer in early March, but her daughter, Rachael Stibbe, alleges that the National Health Service (NHS) caused significant delays in her mother's treatment. According to Rachael Stibbe, it took three months for her mother to begin immunotherapy, a period during which her tumor reportedly doubled in size.
Rachael Stibbe told the Daily Mail that her mother initially presented with severe itching and developed diabetes, which can be a symptom of late-stage liver cancer. A CT scan confirmed the liver disease a month after initial tests. However, a further three months elapsed before treatment commenced.
During this period, Marie Stibbe's liver condition deteriorated from a 'compensated' state, where the organ could still function relatively normally despite scarring, to a 'decompensated' stage. Rachael Stibbe commissioned a private MRI scan in May, which revealed the tumor had grown from seven to 14.9 centimeters. She claims Exeter Hospital had refused to conduct an MRI scan after the initial diagnosis.
According to Rachael Stibbe, doctors at Exeter Hospital were dismissive, with one suggesting her mother only had a few extra weeks to live and advising her to go home. She stated that her mother was prescribed paracetamol and given a prognosis of six to 12 months, a comment she found insensitive and lacking in patient care.
After losing faith in the NHS, Rachael sought a second opinion from a liver surgeon at King's College Hospital. This surgeon reportedly recommended an MRI and PET scan, along with immediate combination treatment including immunotherapy, suggesting Marie could have many years left if treatment began promptly. However, Rachael claims Exeter Hospital's oncology team refused to consider this report, stating it would not alter Marie's treatment plan.
The family has initiated a GoFundMe campaign to raise over £100,000 for specialist treatment in India, as they believe the NHS has failed Marie Stibbe. Rachael Stibbe stated that her mother's liver team and oncology team did not collaborate, which is typically standard practice, and that the oncology team refused to investigate why her mother's liver function had dropped.
Further complications cited by Rachael Stibbe include untreated leg swelling, from which Marie suffered daily, and a dental issue that made eating difficult. She alleges that referrals for these issues were either denied or downgraded from urgent to standard, with long backlogs expected for appointments.
Exeter Hospital has stated that the concerns raised by Ms. Stibbe are currently under investigation through their complaints process. The hospital confirmed they are keeping Ms. Stibbe informed of the investigation's status and will respond directly once it is completed.
Rachael Stibbe expressed fears for her mother's quality of life and her ability to see her two-year-old grandson grow up, emphasizing that her mother had paid taxes and contributed to society. She also noted that her father, after 56 years of marriage, would struggle to cope without his wife.