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Inquest on Claudine Chart, 38, of Sandwich who died five days after bowel cancer treatment

A woman died five days after she began treatment for cancer after a toxic reaction to medication.

Claudine Chart, 38, was found dead at her home in Sandown Road, Sandwich, an inquest heard today.

Claudine Chart. Picture courtesy of Laura Collins on GoFundMe
Claudine Chart. Picture courtesy of Laura Collins on GoFundMe

Pathologist Dr Nipin Bagla told the hearing that Ms Chart had died from fluorouracil toxicity.

Fluorouracil is a chemotherapy medication and Ms Chart had been diagnosed with bowel cancer.

Dr Bagla said he believed the death had been sudden but this type was uncommon.

Oncologist Dr Rakesh Raman said that, in a telephone consultation with Ms Chart last August 3, it was proposed she would be treated with combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

He said he detailed to her the possible side effects from the treatment and she gave verbal consent for it to go ahead.

Claudine Chart: "An incredible human being." Picture courtesy of Laura Collins on GoFundMe
Claudine Chart: "An incredible human being." Picture courtesy of Laura Collins on GoFundMe

It began with radiotherapy in hospital, on August 17, and she took the chemotherapy medication at home.

The hearing heard police were called to Ms Chart's home on the morning of August 22 after her body was found in an upstairs bedroom.

But Ms Chart's mother, Anna Chart, told the inquest she did not believe her daughter had signed a consent form for the treatment although she thought that could have been a mistake.

Dr Raman said the verbal consent was provisional, so could be withdrawn, but he believed she did have the capacity to grant permission.

Joanne Andrews, area coroner for North East Kent, said she needed to adjourn the inquest to contact East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust to try to find if there was evidence of written consent.

The inquest was at the Shepway Centre in, Maidstone
The inquest was at the Shepway Centre in, Maidstone

The hearing, which had been at the Shepway Centre in Maidstone, was adjourned for a date to be fixed.

Ms Chart was a physiotherapist and mother-of-one.

An online fundraising page had been set up a month after her death by her friend Laura Collins.

The GoFundMe page, for the charity Beating Bowel Cancer, by today raised £4,251 following a target of £4,000.

Ms Collins wrote on the page: "Claudine was an incredible human being with a love for animals like no one else I know.

"She had a naughty sense of humour, was fiercely stubborn yet had a heart of pure gold with a winning smile to match.

Claudine Chart was also an animal lover. Picture courtesy of Laura Collins on GoFundMe
Claudine Chart was also an animal lover. Picture courtesy of Laura Collins on GoFundMe

"She was a true inspiration with an incredible work ethic and determination to achieve whatever she put her mind to.

"She was one in a million and will be sorely missed by everyone who knew her."

You can donate to the fundraising page here.

Read all about it: All the latest news from Sandwich

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