Oral Health Foundation backs Jess’s Rule to prevent delays in cancer diagnosis

23 September 2025

The Oral Health Foundation welcomes the introduction of Jess’s Rule across GP practices in England.

This vital step will help ensure that patients who repeatedly raise concerns about their health are taken seriously, and that potentially life-threatening conditions are not overlooked.

Dr Nigel Carter OBE, chief executive of the Oral Health Foundation, said: "We know from our work in mouth cancer that too many people have had to return to their GP multiple times before finally receiving a diagnosis. In some cases, their concerns were dismissed, leading to devastating delays in treatment. For a disease where early detection is absolutely critical to survival, these delays can mean the difference between life and death.

"Jess’s Rule will provide GPs with an important safeguard - a clear prompt to stop, reflect and reconsider - ensuring that persistent and escalating symptoms are never ignored. This has the power to save lives, reduce the inequalities that exist in cancer diagnosis, and prevent other families from experiencing the heart-breaking loss suffered by Jessica Brady’s loved ones.

"We urge healthcare professionals to apply this principle rigorously in cases where patients present with symptoms of mouth cancer - such as non-healing ulcers, unexplained lumps, or red and white patches in the mouth - and to act swiftly on referrals when there is any doubt.

"Jessica Brady’s legacy is a powerful reminder that patient voices must always be heard. Jess’s Rule will help strengthen that principle and give patients the reassurance that their concerns will not be overlooked."