'I can't make a Christian peace with a law forcing some to die in agony'

Terminally ill...Christian lay preacher Pamela Fisher has incurable breast cancer

- By Hanna Geissler Health Editor

A CHURCH of England lay preacher with terminal breast cancer is urging members of the House of Lords to “create a more compassionate society” by supporting the assisted dying Bill this week.

Pamela Fisher, 64, has outlived the three-year life expectancy she was given when the disease was detected four years ago. She suffers worsening pain and deteriorating mobility but said her “biggest fear of all” is dying “in excruciating pain or distress”.

Pamela added: “I don’t have a bone that’s free of cancer. It’s all the way through my skeleton.

“The thing that actually really undermines my quality of life is the idea of a bad death, of dying in

Incurable

extreme suffering and pain. That absolutely terrifies me.”

The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill passed a landmark third reading in the House of Commons in June. It is due to face a second reading in the House of Lords on Friday.

Labour MP Kim Leadbeater introduced the Bill last year. Former academic Pamela was diagnosed in 2021 after noticing aches and pains, particularly in her hips. Doctors initially thought she had simply overdone it while following exercise videos during lockdown.