Becky Jones says 11 years of chemotherapy followed a cancer misdiagnosis

September 14, 2026 at 04:11 AM2 min

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Becky Jones, 33, says she endured 11 years of chemotherapy after being misdiagnosed with terminal brain cancer at age 21. She is among more than 40 patients taking legal action against University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust. Jones learned in 2025 that she never had cancer but an inflammation treatable with steroids.

Key Facts

Becky Jones was 21 when consultant Prof Ian Brown diagnosed her with grade four glioblastoma before biopsy results returned.
Jones took chemotherapy drug temozolomide for 11 years, despite guidelines recommending six cycles over six months.
In 2025, a review of cancer cases connected to Brown revealed Jones never had a brain tumour but an inflammation treatable with steroids.
More than 40 patients are taking legal action against University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust over prolonged or unnecessary cancer treatment.
UHCW said it would not comment on individual cases but had put measures in place for more robust oversight of TMZ prescription and use.

The Misdiagnosis

In 2012, Jones worked as a CCTV operator at Coventry City stadium and began experiencing severe migraines. She underwent a brain biopsy carried out by a private neurosurgeon. Fiona Tinsley, a partner at law firm Brabners, said Prof Brown diagnosed Jones with grade four glioblastoma before the biopsy results had returned. Jones said Brown told her she would need to take temozolomide for the rest of her life.

Treatment and Consequences

Jones said she regularly felt sick, was unable to take part in family events, and felt constantly on edge during the 11 years of chemotherapy. Her career was curtailed and she described the effects of taking the drugs for years as horrendous. When Jones questioned multiple scans that did not show evidence of a tumour, Brown told her it would not be visible to the naked eye. The BBC found staff failings at the hospital amounted to a betrayal of patient trust and questioned why oncology pharmacy teams did not challenge patients receiving oral chemotherapy continuously for 10 to 15 years.

Legal Action and Trust Response

Jones is one of more than 40 patients taking legal action against UHCW NHS Trust due to prolonged or unnecessary cancer treatment. Many more of Brown's patients told the BBC they were given TMZ for years, leaving them with serious medical issues. UHCW said it would not comment on individual cases but had put measures in place to ensure more robust oversight of the prescription and use of TMZ. The BBC has attempted to contact the retired professor several times.