NHS: Shropshire mum died from cervical cancer after doctors failed to spot symptoms

A mum-of-three died of cervical cancer two years after bungling doctors wrongly said her screening test was normal.

Kerry Pugh, 48, started experiencing tell-tale symptoms including bleeding during sex in 2017, and as high risk of developing cancer-causing virus HPV. She had checks at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and no definitive cause for the bleeding was determined.

In 2018 Kerry started to experience irregular bleeding and attended a routine cervical cancer screening appointment in June that year. She was told the results were normal when in fact the test had revealed severe cell changes.

Months later, Kerry’s symptoms got worse and she suffered irregular bleeding and pain in her coccyx. She underwent tests which revealed she had stage four cancer. An MRI scan showed she had a large invasive tumour bigger than a tennis ball.

The size of the growth, which measured 8cm x 5cm x 5cm, meant surgery was not an option. Kerry, of Shrewsbury, Shropshire, had an operation to have a stoma fitted and underwent a gruelling course of radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Tragically, the treatment was too late and she died aged 48 in June 2022 from cervical cancer.

Following her death, Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals NHS Trust, which analysed the 2018 test, carried out an audit of the screening results. It found that despite originally being reported as normal, the sample actually showed severe cell changes.

Kerry’s devastated husband, Stephen Pugh, instructed specialist medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate whether more could have been done to diagnosis her cancer sooner. Stephen, 45, is considering taking legal action against the Trust and has urged women to be aware of the signs of the disease.

The network support engineer said: "I can’t begin to describe the distress and exhaustion that Kerry went through. She was a beautiful and caring person and a great mum. To see her health deteriorate as the cancer took hold of her was heartbreaking.

"Although she was suffering extreme pain because of her illness, Kerry always tried to stay positive right to the end, especially for the children. She was more concerned about their wellbeing than her own.

"Kerry was absolutely everything to me and we all miss her every day."

Kerry, who worked as a retail assistant, leaves behind her children Morgan, 24, 14-year-old Lily, and 11-year-old Freddie.

Lawyer Eleanor Giblin, who is representing Stephen, said: "The last 19 months have been incredibly difficult for Stephen and the rest of Kerry’s family as they’ve attempted to try and come to terms with her death and the circumstances surrounding it.

"Understandably Stephen has a number of concerns regarding whether more could have been to diagnose Kerry’s cancer sooner, especially in light of the audit which highlighted severe cell changes rather than Kerry’s result being negative as initially recorded. We’re investigating this further with the assistance of independent medical experts.

"Through our work we sadly see the devastating impact cancer have. While nothing can make up for what’s happened, we’re determined to at least provide Stephen and Kerry’s children with the answers they deserve. In the meantime, Stephen hopes that by sharing his family’s story they can help others be aware of the symptoms of cervical cancer.

"Despite concerns about Kerry’s tests results, it’s vital that people continue to attend screening appointments as early detection and treatment is key to beating cancer."

The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust has offered its condolences to Stephen and his family.

Medical director Dr John Jones said: "We continue to support Mr Pugh with any questions regarding the care of his wife."