Vicky Mcloughlin, a 66-year-old woman diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer, has been denied surgery by multiple hospitals due to the significant risks involved. Her daughter, Chloe, has expressed distress over the decision, stating that surgery is the only way to cure her mother.
Mcloughlin was diagnosed in November 2024 after experiencing difficulties with bowel movements for two weeks, followed by bleeding. An initial endoscopy did not detect the tumor. A subsequent visit to A&E led to scans revealing a mass in her cervical area. A biopsy confirmed the cancer originated in her bowels and had spread.
The tumor's progression created a hole in her bowel and cervical area, necessitating a stoma bag and kidney drainage tubes. Due to recurring infections, Mcloughlin was deemed unable to undergo chemotherapy and instead received two courses of radiotherapy.
Doctors at Solihull Hospital and St. Mark's Hospital in London refused to operate, citing the extreme risk of complications, including potential leg amputation and a worse quality of life post-surgery. A letter to Mcloughlin stated that the combination of her overall fitness and the disease's extent made a major pelvic resection not in her best interests.
However, her family disputes this, arguing that her current quality of life is already severely impacted by frequent hospital visits every two weeks for treatment, which they describe as ineffective and torturous.
University Hospitals Birmingham issued a statement acknowledging the difficult situation and emphasizing that decisions regarding radical cancer surgery are complex and made after careful assessment by a multidisciplinary team, prioritizing the patient's safety and best interests. A spokesperson for London North West University Healthcare Trust stated they could not comment on individual patient circumstances.