// BBC UK NEWS — CRONACA
Mum died from aggressive cancer after nine-month wait for test results
Sarah Catherine Daniels died at home surrounded by loved ones, her inquest was told
A mum-of-three died from cancer following a nine-month delay in receiving pathology test results, meaning she did not receive potentially life-extending treatment fast enough, an inquest has heard.
Sarah Catherine Daniels' husband said she "never gave up" trying to fight her rare and aggressive cancer, but died at home in Porth, Rhondda Cynon Taf, aged 43 in April 2025.
Coroner Rachel Knight said the pathology department where a mass from Sarah's ovary had been sent for testing was at the time "completely overwhelmed by demand" following the Covid-19 pandemic.
She told the inquest at Pontypridd Coroners' Court that the delay was "unacceptable" and reduced the chance of successful chemotherapy.
Sarah first presented to her GP aged 39 in October 2021 with "gynaecological symptoms of concern", the inquest was told on Monday.
The matter was escalated by her doctor, resulting in an ultrasound scan on 21 October in 2021 which identified a mass on one of her ovaries. Sarah was then referred to gynaecology in the Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board area.
She was given two surgical options, which included a total hysterectomy or a less invasive procedure to remove the mass.
The full hysterectomy would have triggered an early menopause as well as other effects, so the inquest was told that Sarah opted for the less invasive procedure.
In February 2022 the mass was removed, which did not have the expected appearance of a cancer, but samples were sent to pathology for testing.