Mum thought she had 'sickness bug' after doctors failed to say it was cancer

15 March 2024 , 01:58

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Janet Power was a treasured grandma (Image: No credit)

A loving mum and carer from Accrington passed away after doctors didn't act on a tumour they found, an inquest was told.

Janet Power had a PET scan last year on March 17 to check her lungs when doctors saw something wrong in her colon. Doctors at Royal Blackburn Hospital said the bowel tumour needed urgent attention, but nothing was done.

Janet didn't know she had cancer and kept working as a care assistant at Henley House in Accrington. In October, she felt worse and had a CT scan on October 31. She went into Royal Blackburn Hospital on November 3 and died just four days later.

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At a pre-inquest review on March 14 at Preston Coroner's Court, Coroner Kate Bisset said she will look into whether Janet could have lived longer if she got treatment when the tumour was first seen, reports Lancs Live. Janet's daughter Nicola Fisher talked about her mum at the hearing, saying she worked a lot and was very kind.

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"She was just a really nice person," Nicola said. "I think this is why I'm so confused because previous to her going to hospital she was quite fit and healthy; probably fitter and healthier than me." Janet, a mum to Lisa, Nicola, and Simon and a much-loved grandma to Luke, Bella, Cole, Sophia, and Scarlett, was known for her long career in care. On her funeral day, everyone at Henley House came out to clap as her coffin went by.

Nicola, her daughter, said: "Her funeral was packed. People had to stand outside. Everybody just loved her; she was a really good mum. She worked [at Henley House] for 20 years. She was still working up to six weeks before she died. We thought it was just a sickness bug." There will be a final inquest at Accrington Town Hall on April 19.

After Janet passed away, her friends and old workmates shared messages online. Katie Hart wrote: "So sad to hear about the passing of Janet she was beautiful inside and out I worked with Janet and we all had some great laughs with her."

Gina Hill said: "So sorry to hear this. Janet not only did you work with my mum many years ago, you have also looked after her as her carer at Henley for the last 5 and 1/2 years. You will be missed and I know my mum thought a lot about you." And Jude Duckworth commented: "A beautiful lady inside and out. Will be sadly missed."

Amy Fenton