“I became aware that I had cancer, in the worst possible way. It is difficult to describe the impact that reading this letter on my app had on me.”
Darius’ experience highlights a recurring concern we hear from patients and families: when symptoms are not fully explored, opportunities for earlier intervention can be missed.
His story is not about individual fault — it illustrates what happens when systems are pressured, communication becomes fragmented, and clinical concerns raised by different professionals are not consistently weighed or acted upon.
Darius is 24 — vibrant, adventurous, and full of life. He loves climbing, travelling, and exploring new places. He was working full-time, living independently, and excited for everything ahead of him. In early 2024, at just 23, everything changed.
"In February 2024, I started experiencing really bad back pain… I went to a physio, who thought it was probably sciatica caused by climbing and advised me to take paracetamol and gave me some exercises to do."
As his pain worsened, Darius did what any of us would do — he kept seeking help. Despite NHS and private physiotherapy appointments, he became almost immobile. His private physiotherapist grew deeply concerned and urged him to request blood tests, a scan, and an X-ray.
But those warnings were brushed aside by his GP.
"I feel that this was the first missed opportunity to diagnose my cancer… the private physio had had three 30-minute appointments with me, but the Practice physio, who had seen me for less than five minutes, dismissed her expertise."
Months passed. Darius carried on without answers, without relief, and without being listened to. When the truth finally came, it arrived in the coldest possible way: through an NHS app notification while he was alone at work.
Stage 4 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma affecting his bones.
"This was the first time I became aware that I had cancer, in the worst possible way. It is difficult to describe the impact that reading this letter on my app had on me."
Darius' experience underlines several system-level issues that many medico-legal professionals will recognise:
• symptoms being attributed to age or lifestyle without adequate review
• professional disagreement not being reconciled
• investigations not being escalated despite red flags
• communication pathways that leave patients learning life-changing news without support
Darius’ message to those in charge is simple and powerful: "Take young patients seriously. Pain and symptoms should never be dismissed because of age. Listen, investigate, and communicate compassionately."
By bravely sharing his story, Darius is pushing for a future where patients are listened to from the very first moment they ask for help, a future where compassion, openness and learning are at the heart of care.
This Christmas, as we think of Darius and so many others, we’re asking for your help.
Your monthly gift helps to keep our helpline open, support families through inquests, drive transparency, and ensure no one faces medical harm alone. It brings hope, clarity and strength to the people who need it most.
