Sarah Catherine Daniels, a mother of three, died from cancer after a nine-month delay in receiving pathology test results, an inquest at Pontypridd Coroners' Court was told. Coroner Rachel Knight stated that this delay meant Ms Daniels did not receive potentially life-extending treatment quickly enough.
Ms Daniels, from Porth, Rhondda Cynon Taf, died at home in April 2025, aged 43. The coroner noted that the pathology department, where a mass from Ms Daniels' ovary was sent for testing, was at the time "completely overwhelmed by demand" due to factors including the Covid-19 pandemic.
Ms Knight found the nine-month delay between Ms Daniels' surgery and receiving her results to be "unacceptable". She stated that the delay likely impacted Ms Daniels' treatment, as well as her quality and length of life, and reduced the chance of success in cancer control through chemotherapy.