Friday, 13 March 2009

• Prev
• Next

Who failed Jade Goody?

Friends and family are demandng answers

Jade Goody wants young women to take their symptoms seriously

As Jade Goody’s life heads tragically towards its end, friends, family and an army of angry fans are asking why the system desperately failed the cancer-ravaged star.

Jade, who was christened last week with her two sons Freddy, four, and, Bobby, five, may have been initially misdiagnosed as early as last summer.  Now questions are being asked about who is responsible for the 27-year-old’s ordeal.

‘Everyone’s keeping brave faces on for Jade, but people are angry and want answers,’ says an insider. ‘The fact that what’s happened to her could’ve been avoided if proper screening systems had been in place.’

Jade, whose tumour was 'the size of a large tomato' by the time it was discovered, is now at home after enduring an emergency bowel operation at London’s Royal Marsden Hospital to ease her agony.

‘Through all of this, Jade’s been shouldering the responsibility, saying that she should’ve pushed harder for more explanation,’ says a friend. 'It’s even been reported that she ignored a letter urging her to return for more tests after an abnormal smear.'

But last year, speaking of her fury at what had happened, the 27-year-old told Now : ‘The doctors always said I was OK. In August, I was doubled over in pain, losing clots of blood.

‘When I went to hospital, I was there nearly for a week with no explanation. They said it might be due to stress. I lost more blood, about three clots.

'I remember being so frustrated because they tried to tell me it was a heavy period. I thought: “Don’t insult my intelligence. I’ve been having periods since I was 16; all my friends have periods – the most they need is a hot water bottle.”

'They said I had pre-cancerous cells again and I could see these abrasion lumps, a bit like if you’ve got spots on your face. They burnt them off and the lady said: “They’ve all gone; that’s it, you’re all clear.” I was told everything seemed normal, so I had no reason to worry.’

She later revealed. ‘Don’t ignore the symptoms I had.  If you’re not happy with the first diagnosis, see someone else. Don’t leave it too late.’

Brave Jade has at least been comforted by the fact that her plight has led to unprecedented public awareness of the illness. Since her diagnosis last August, there’s been a 21 per cent increase in people over 25 taking smear tests on the NHS, which could help prevent some of the 950 deaths per year from cervical cancer.

NOW'S EXCLUSIVE Now's exclusive Jade Goody photo album>>

SEE PICTURES Jade Goody – an extraordinary life>>

SEE PICTURES Jade Goody and Jack Tweed’s love story in photos>>

See the full story about Jade Goody in Now magazine dated 16 March 2009 - out now!