Mum died from aggressive cancer after nine-month wait for test results

Key Points:

• Sarah Catherine Daniels, a 43-year-old mother of three, died from metastatic signet ring adenocarcinoma of the appendix after a nine-month delay in receiving pathology test results, which hindered timely cancer treatment.
• The delay occurred due to the pathology department being overwhelmed by demand and backlog following the Covid-19 pandemic, a situation acknowledged as "unacceptable" by Coroner Rachel Knight and health board officials.
• Sarah initially presented with concerning gynecological symptoms in October 2021, underwent surgery to remove an ovarian mass, but the subsequent pathology results were significantly delayed, impacting her treatment timeline and prognosis.
• Despite receiving chemotherapy and private treatment, Sarah's cancer progressed, and by early 2025 she was deemed too frail for further chemotherapy, passing away at home in April 2025 surrounded by family.
• The inquest highlighted systemic issues in pathology services post-pandemic and emphasized the need to avoid future backlogs, with the coroner expressing sympathy to Sarah's family and noting the impact of the delay on her quality and length of life.