'Our daughter's breast cancer symptoms were dismissed because she was a child'
Summary
Isla Sneddon, a 17-year-old from Scotland, died from breast cancer after her symptoms were initially dismissed due to her age. Her parents are campaigning for changes in how young patients are referred and treated, so they receive the same urgency as adults. They believe earlier intervention could have extended Isla’s life.Key Facts
- Isla Sneddon first saw a doctor in 2022 with a lump in her breast, which was initially thought to be non-cancerous.
- Her urgent referral for cancer tests was downgraded to routine due to her age.
- Isla was eventually diagnosed with a serious form of cancer that had spread, leading to her death in March 2025.
- Her parents are advocating for "Isla's Law" to ensure children are referred with the same urgency as adults for cancer tests.
- The Scottish government issued new cancer referral guidelines in August before her death.
- Isla's condition worsened despite chemotherapy, and she passed away after being hospitalized.
- NHS England has introduced a "three strikes" rule to encourage re-evaluation if a patient presents multiple times with the same symptoms.
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