Family angry at nine-year cancer diagnosis delay

The family of a man who died from prostate cancer after care failings led to a nine-year delay in diagnosis have described their loss as "devastating".

Terry Adams, from South Kirby, near Pontefract, first visited his GP surgery with symptoms in 2012 but wasn't diagnosed until 2021, by which point the cancer had spread and become incurable.

His wife Diane said the 68-year-old former security guard "should never have suffered like he did" before his death in September 2024.

Two GPs involved in his care have admitted a "breach of duty" and previously apologised via their legal team for the "devastating impact the delay in diagnosis and treatment" had on Terry and his family.

Terry, who had a family history of prostate cancer, first visited his GP with urinary problems and pain in his lower back and legs in March 2012.

Four months later, the great-grandfather made a second appointment with Dr Douglas Diggle, at The Health Centre on Little Lane in South Elmsall, due to ongoing symptoms.

A blood test was arranged that revealed a raised prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, which can indicate problems.

A routine referral was made to see a specialist, which was arranged by the hospital for 8 October, but Terry's family said he didn't attend because he never received the appointment letter.

Two days later, a hospital consultant wrote to Terry's GP surgery, noting the family history of prostate cancer and raised PSA level.

The letter stated: "I think Mr Adams needs an urgent biopsy of his prostate" and advised that he be referred via a "fast-track" clinic if Terry agreed.

However, during a follow-up appointment with a second GP, Dr Emmanuel Okine, no referral was made.

A note on Terry's medical record stated: "Patient made appointment to see me but there is nothing new", and a plan was made to review him when necessary.

Terry wasn't diagnosed for another nine years, despite experiencing ongoing symptoms, by which point the cancer had spread to his spine and bones, according to his family.

"When we first found out he'd got cancer we were devastated," Diane said.

"But then when you find out it should have been diagnosed nine years before then it just blows your world apart."

Following diagnosis, Terry was forced to retire, lived in "significant" pain, and became dependent on a wheelchair, according to Diane.

"He used to cry," she said.

"To see a grown man sit there crying saying 'I'm dying', when it wasn't his fault, was absolutely devastating."

Terry and his family began legal proceedings against both GPs before his death.

The case alleged failures by both doctors that led to a delay in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer.

In 2024, solicitors representing the two GPs, on behalf of the Medical Defences Union (MDU), admitted "breaches of duty" by Dr Diggle and Dr Okine.

It was acknowledged that the care given in 2012 "did not meet the standard Mr Adams was entitled to expect".

It was also admitted that a "localised prostate cancer" should have been diagnosed in 2012, or shortly thereafter.

Had the cancer been diagnosed at that time it "would have been curable", according to a letter sent by the GPs' legal team to the family's solicitor.

Terry's daughter, Amanda Adams, said it was "heartbreaking" to be the one who told him about his cancer diagnosis in 2021.

"My dad was too ill to go to that doctor's appointment," she said.

"I had to go back home and tell my dad that he had terminal cancer, and it was the worst thing I've ever done," she said.

Rebecca Tramaseur, a solicitor for Irwin Mitchell, who represented the family, said: "The difficulty in cases like this when somebody has passed away is that nothing can ever bring them back.

"They can get answers through this claim process - and the admission has brought them that – but in a way that is very emotionally difficult for them because they know their dad, their husband, their grandad, should be here today."

Both GPs no longer practice medicine, and neither is registered on the GMC website.

A spokesperson for Langthwaite Surgery, which later took over the health centre where the doctors worked, said: "In the interest of patient confidentiality, we are unable to comment on individual cases or patients."

The MDU also said it was unable to comment on individual cases.

The BBC has made attempts to contact both GPs but received no response.

However, in a letter sent by the GPs' legal team to the family's solicitor in 2024, both doctors apologised "for the devastating impact the delay in diagnosis and treatment has had on Mr Adams and his family".

"I just can't get my head around it," Diane added.

"I can't get past it - his suffering and that. I see it day in and day out in my head."

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