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Cancer delay: Mum dies after 9-month pathology wait
13 Sep
Summary
- A nine-month delay in pathology results hindered timely cancer treatment.
- The mum-of-three died aged 43 from rare, aggressive ovarian cancer.
- Coroner cited overwhelmed pathology department post-Covid as cause.
A tragic nine-month delay in receiving pathology results meant Sarah Catherine Daniels, a mum-of-three, did not receive timely treatment for her rare and aggressive cancer. She died at home in Porth, Rhondda Cynon Taf, aged 43 in April 2025.
Coroner Rachel Knight highlighted that the pathology department was "completely overwhelmed by demand" post-Covid-19. This delay, occurring between Sarah's surgery in February 2022 and her results, was deemed "unacceptable" and reduced the likelihood of successful chemotherapy.
Sarah first presented with concerning symptoms in October 2021. After a mass was identified and removed in February 2022, samples were sent for testing. Her husband noted her determination to fight the illness, including seeking private treatment. Despite initial positive responses to treatment, the cancer recurred.
Knight stated that while initial aspects of Sarah's care were timely, the nine-month pathology delay was significant. The medical cause of death was metastatic signet ring adenocarcinoma of the appendix, but the coroner concluded a narrative verdict reflecting the circumstances, apologising for the loss Sarah's family endured.
