Jess's Rule: Teenage Cancer Trust responds to new guidance
Jess’s Rule - guidance urging GPs across England to take a ‘3 strikes and rethink approach’ to patients repeatedly presenting with persistent symptoms - has been published today (September 23rd 2025). Teenage Cancer Trust have responded to the rule, and outlined what more needs to be done to improve diagnosis for young people with cancer.
- Published:
- Category:
- Policy
Jess’s story and the new guidance in her name will act as an important reminder to GPs that although cancer in younger people is less common, it is always a possibility, and whatever the age of the patient that their concerns must be listened to.
Currently nearly half (46 percent) of young people diagnosed with cancer report having had to attend three or more GP appointments before receiving a referral to cancer services for diagnosis.
For the age group Teenage Cancer Trust support (13-24), there is a need for the National Cancer Plan for England to take actions to speed up diagnosis. This could be done by providing training to health professionals across the broad range of primary care – GPs but also A&E staff and others - on how to spot the signs of cancer in teenagers and young people.
We are also calling for a public health campaign to raise awareness of the most common symptoms of cancer amongst this age group which could encourage them to seek help sooner.
These additional actions could save lives.