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| Parents back radiotherapy refusal | Parents back radiotherapy refusal |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| The parents of an eight-year-old girl with a rare kidney cancer say are backing what they say is her decision to stop treatment. | |
| Leah-Beth Richards, from Beddau near Pontypridd, has been battling Wilms Tumour since she was two. | Leah-Beth Richards, from Beddau near Pontypridd, has been battling Wilms Tumour since she was two. |
| Now, her family say, she does not want any more radiotherapy and they are fighting any pressure to continue. | |
| Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust said it acts only in patients' best interests but will not treat without consent. | Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust said it acts only in patients' best interests but will not treat without consent. |
| Six years ago Leah-Beth was diagnosed with the rare cancer which affects the kidneys and only develops in around 70 children in the UK each year. | Six years ago Leah-Beth was diagnosed with the rare cancer which affects the kidneys and only develops in around 70 children in the UK each year. |
| She has been in remission twice but recently suffered a relapse and is now at the Children's Hospital of Wales in Cardiff. | She has been in remission twice but recently suffered a relapse and is now at the Children's Hospital of Wales in Cardiff. |
| We'd rather her have some special months than painful years Leah-Beth's mother Kathryn Richards | We'd rather her have some special months than painful years Leah-Beth's mother Kathryn Richards |
| Now, her family says, she has told them she does not want to carry on with treatment. | |
| Her mother Kathryn Richards told the South Wales Echo she wants her daughter to be able to enjoy the rest of her life without pain. | Her mother Kathryn Richards told the South Wales Echo she wants her daughter to be able to enjoy the rest of her life without pain. |
| "I just can't put her through it again," she said. | "I just can't put her through it again," she said. |
| "I'm thinking about her quality of life now, not quantity. We'd rather her have some special months than painful years." | "I'm thinking about her quality of life now, not quantity. We'd rather her have some special months than painful years." |
| Mrs Richards claimed that when they told the hospital about Leah-Beth's decision not to carry on with treatment, they were told they did not have a choice. | Mrs Richards claimed that when they told the hospital about Leah-Beth's decision not to carry on with treatment, they were told they did not have a choice. |
| We recommend treatments that help our patients to recover or manage their illness as best as possible, and we have a responsibility to act in our patients' best interests Consultant paediatrician Colin Powell | We recommend treatments that help our patients to recover or manage their illness as best as possible, and we have a responsibility to act in our patients' best interests Consultant paediatrician Colin Powell |
| Consultant paediatrician Colin Powell, assistant clinical director for child health for Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust, said the Richards family was "clearly facing a very difficult time". | Consultant paediatrician Colin Powell, assistant clinical director for child health for Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust, said the Richards family was "clearly facing a very difficult time". |
| He added: We are continuing to support Leah-Beth and her parents, and to discuss the appropriate care with them directly." | |
| Dr Powell said they could not discuss individual cases because of patients' confidentiality. | Dr Powell said they could not discuss individual cases because of patients' confidentiality. |
| "However, we want to reassure everyone that we always put our patients' medical and individual needs first. | "However, we want to reassure everyone that we always put our patients' medical and individual needs first. |
| "We recommend treatments that help our patients to recover or manage their illness as best as possible, and we have a responsibility to act in our patients' best interests. | "We recommend treatments that help our patients to recover or manage their illness as best as possible, and we have a responsibility to act in our patients' best interests. |
| "We also want to reassure everyone that we only carry out treatment where we have been given consent." | "We also want to reassure everyone that we only carry out treatment where we have been given consent." |
| Earlier this month, Josie Grove from Corbridge, Northumberland, explained her decision not to continue treatment for terminal cancer and instead to enjoy the rest of her life with her family. | Earlier this month, Josie Grove from Corbridge, Northumberland, explained her decision not to continue treatment for terminal cancer and instead to enjoy the rest of her life with her family. |
| The 16-year-old has had two unsuccessful bone marrow transplants and a course of anti-cancer drugs. She was nominated for an award for her bravery by her nurses. | The 16-year-old has had two unsuccessful bone marrow transplants and a course of anti-cancer drugs. She was nominated for an award for her bravery by her nurses. |