David Fitzpatrick's story

David Fitzpatrick has told of his anguish after losing two family members to cancer.

David’s mother and brother died within 15 months of each other from pancreatic cancer.

David said: “I lost both my mother and brother to pancreatic cancer because Doctors missed the signs. “I don’t want another family to have to go through what we went through.”

His mother, Patricia, first developed symptoms including stomach problems, indigestion, and diarrhoea. At first, Doctors thought she had gynaecological issues. Eventually, her symptoms worsened and she went to Accident and Emergency where she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2011 and died one month later.

Meanwhile, David’s brother Paul began to experience some stomach problems and serious back pain which he thought was a popped rib. He was sent for an x-ray which came back clear before doctors explored the possibility of removing his gallbladder. More symptoms followed including itchy skin and yellowing eyes. Paul was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer just 15 months after his mother died of the same disease. He died just two years later in 2014.

David Fitzpatrick said: “I only wish our GP and the doctors in the Southern General Hospital in Glasgow had more knowledge of pancreatic cancer whilst treating my mother and brother. “After finally being diagnosed, my brother received the Whipple operation and chemotherapy but sadly the cancer remained. “He was sent home to die on his wife’s 55th birthday. He walked his eldest daughter down the aisle six weeks later and died two weeks after that. “Our entire family is devastated. He and Mum are missed by our whole family every day.”

Since losing his Mum and brother, David Fitzpatrick and his family have raised over £45,000 for Pancreatic Cancer Action.