It is reported this morning that many women have suffered delays in diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer at the hands of East Lancashire NHS Hospitals Trust.
Problems with the breast screening process at the Trust were identified as a result of internal monitoring. This resulted in an independent investigation in which over 350 mammograms carried out by an individual consultant over 3 years were reviewed.
The findings of the investigation are quite shocking in that 14 women were sadly found to have invasive breast cancer and 4 women were also noted to be suffering with ductal carcinoma in situ. Therefore, 18 women have been found to have suffered an avoidable delay in diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.
Around 44,000 people each year are diagnosed with breast cancer and medical professionals very often warn that early detection of breast cancer and early treatment leads to a better survival rate. Currently women aged between 50 and 70 are offered a mammogram every 3 years to ensure that this is the case.
Despite this, however, it seems that breast cancer is still being misdiagnosed and left untreated due to mistakes made by medical professionals which is clearly un-acceptable.
Current procedures must be reviewed and steps must be taken to ensure that mammograms are reviewed accurately and patients are given a correct diagnosis as soon as possible to ensure the best chance of survival.
At Stephensons we have an experienced Clinical Negligence department and we are able to offer advice to anyone who may have been misdiagnosed with breast cancer.
Clinical Negligence Solicitor