Breast Cancer Errors
DATE: September 2009
Following a review of breast screening assessments over the past three years, the East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust recalled 85 women for a second breast examination. 18 of these women have been told that they have invasive breast cancer. The problem came to light through internal monitoring in the screening service which sparked an independent investigation. The radiologist involved last screened patients in December 2008.
Rosaline Wong, a solicitor specialising in clinical negligence at Pictons Solicitors LLP commented that “breast cancer errors made by Accrington Victoria Hospital are not one-off incidents. In March 2008 a General Medical Council panel ruled that Dr Husien who worked at Trafford General Hospital as a breast cancer specialist repeatedly failed to provide an acceptable level of care to patients. His mistake led to a review of 450 women, one of whom has since died. In 1997, the Royal Devon and Exeter Trust found Dr John Brennan, the consultant radiologist who ran the breast screening unit, guilty of professional misconduct and incompetence in committing breast screening errors which led to many women being diagnosed with breast cancer, 11 of whom have since died.
It must be devastating to women to have been falsely reassured then to discover that they have breast cancer. It is important to restore public confidence in the breast screening service. The public needs to be reassured that lessons have been learnt and that adequate processes are put in place to address weaknesses in the screening system”.
An early diagnosis of breast cancer is important for a patient's treatment options and ultimately on their future prognosis and survival. Pictons have represented women in claims for misdiagnosis of breast cancer.
If you wish to discuss your concerns, please contact Pictons’ Clinical Negligence Team on 01582 878588 or email: Rosaline.wong@pictons.co.uk