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Luisa GuerraA British woman who died of cervical cancer was unable to get a diagnosis in time at a free clinic.
Country:
 Great Britain |
Content:
Biography of Louise Guerra
Louise Guerra, a 35-year-old mother of two from Kent, died of cervical cancer. Doctors from local clinics conducted about 50 examinations of the woman over six years, but did not find anything suspicious. They only advised Guerra to buy paracetamol. According to her sister, Louise Guerra sought help from a local therapist for the first time when she began experiencing back pain. However, the doctor simply recommended taking painkillers. Her condition continued to worsen, and for three long years she visited doctors who were in no hurry to make a diagnosis. The Guerra family says that the doctors blamed "stress" and early menopause for all of Louise's troubles. When it became clear that there was no hope from the free doctors, Guerra paid for a scan. The results of the study were horrifying. The woman discovered that the deterioration of her health was due to a tumor in her cervix. In addition, the tumors had spread throughout her body - affecting lymph nodes, spine, and neck. The diagnosis was made. But it was too late to make a significant impact. Despite chemotherapy, Louise died at the age of 35. After this, her family filed a complaint, and the activities of the local health service were once again under investigation.
Diana's Testimony
22-year-old Diana, Louise's interior designer sister, claims that her sister's life "could have been saved" if the doctors had acted faster. Diana says, "I am devastated by the loss of my sister. The anger I feel knowing that she could still be here if the doctors had taken her seriously overwhelms me. They had more than 50 attempts to help her in six years, but they didn't do it. She was so young..." Diana notes that Louise's troubles began when she turned 29. Louise complained of back pain, headaches, and irregular bleeding. For three years, she visited local doctors in Rochester, and during that time, according to her loved ones, no one suggested she have a cervical smear. Such a test, which allows the detection of precancerous or cancerous cells in the cervix, is usually available free of charge once a year to all patients over 25 years old.
Private Clinic Diagnosis
However, in 2010, Louise had to pay £300 for a consultation at a private clinic, where she was immediately diagnosed with cervical cancer. In June 2011, she began chemotherapy and radiation therapy. By December, it was announced that the cancer threat had passed. But the recurring back pain made Guerra return to the hospital. Her relatives claim that the doctors once again ignored all the symptoms and prescribed morphine to alleviate her pain. Ten months later, a scan revealed a tennis ball-sized tumor in her lymph nodes, as well as cancer in the neck and intestines. This time, the doctors simply shrugged. They couldn't help the patient in any way. Louise passed away in February 2014. It is known that in January 2013, Louise's aunt, 43-year-old Teresa Paiva, also turned to the same free doctors for help. She complained of abdominal pain and was advised to "take vitamins." It was only six months later that Teresa was found to have gallstones and underwent surgery to remove them. Later, Paiva discovered a lump in her breast. Not wanting to have anything to do with local doctors anymore, she flew to Portugal, where she was born. She was diagnosed with breast cancer. Today, she is undergoing paid treatment in Portugal.
Reaction of Health Authorities
Representatives of the health services in Kent and Medway stated that they were deeply saddened by Guerra's tragic case. They also added that every time they receive such a complaint, they take appropriate action.
