A heartbreaking story of a young life cut short has sparked a crucial conversation about healthcare disparities. Mark and Michelle Sneddon, parents of the late Isla Sneddon, believe their daughter's battle with breast cancer could have had a different outcome if she had been treated as an adult.
Isla, from Airdrie, Scotland, passed away in March 2025 at just 17 years old, leaving her family devastated. Her parents argue that the initial dismissal of her symptoms due to her age played a significant role in the tragic turn of events.
"It's a parent's worst nightmare, and we believe it could have been prevented," Mark shared.
In July 2022, Isla visited her GP with a concerning lump in her breast. However, she was reassured that it was likely benign and attributed to hormonal changes, a common diagnosis for young patients.
"She was told it was nothing to worry about, a typical hormonal issue," Mark recalled. "Little did we know, it was a ticking time bomb."
Two years later, Isla's health took a turn for the worse, and she was admitted to the hospital. GPs suspected cancer and made an urgent referral for biopsies. But here's where it gets controversial: the referral was downgraded by the clinic because of Isla's age.
After a lengthy 10-week stay in the hospital in September 2024, Isla was finally diagnosed with cancer. A sarcoma, which had spread to her lungs, lymph nodes, and the lining of her heart, was discovered.
"The oncologist broke the news to us," Mark shared. "They gave her a mere six months to a year to live. It was devastating."
Despite the grim prognosis, Isla remained hopeful and focused on living her best life. Her parents, determined to make the most of the time they had left, spent every moment they could with their beloved daughter.
"She was our world, and we wanted to give her every moment of happiness," Michelle said.
But as Isla's condition worsened, the reality of the situation became clearer. In March 2025, she was rushed back to the hospital, where doctors described her as the "sickest person in the hospital." Her parents were told her needs were too complex for the ward she was in, but they held onto a glimmer of hope.
"We believed she would pull through, but sadly, that wasn't the case," Mark shared.
After six months of chemotherapy, Isla passed away in her parents' arms at the hospital.
"She looked healthy and beautiful until the very end," Michelle said. "It's a pain no parent should ever have to endure."
Mark and Michelle believe that if Isla had been treated with the same urgency as an adult, they would have had more time with their daughter. They have since been advocating for "Isla's Law," a proposed change in the law to ensure urgent pediatric referrals are given the same priority as adult cancer referrals.
"We want to ensure no other family goes through what we did," Michelle emphasized.
The couple also calls for a formal review of pediatric diagnostic delays in Scotland to identify and address any systemic failures.
"Isla's symptoms were often dismissed as anxiety because of her age," Michelle explained. "But later, we were told it was a sign of the cancer. If GPs had a different approach for children presenting with these symptoms, perhaps we could have caught it earlier."
The Sneddons believe that a more thorough investigation, such as a mammogram or scan, could have saved Isla's life.
"She was an outlier, but we can't ignore the fact that these delays happen," Mark said. "We want to prevent this from happening to other families."
The family is set to meet with Health Secretary Neil Gray to discuss their concerns and push for change. While they face potential delays due to the formation of a new government, they remain determined to make their voices heard.
"We won't give up," Mark said. "Our daughter's legacy will be a healthcare system that treats every patient, regardless of age, with the urgency and care they deserve."
The health secretary has expressed his deepest sympathies to the Sneddon family and looks forward to discussing their petition and concerns. Updated Scottish referral guidelines, including a new children and young person's referral guideline, were published on August 6, 2023, aiming to ensure timely and appropriate treatment for all patients.
The Sneddons' story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of early intervention and the need for a healthcare system that treats every patient equally.
