Law firm gives advice to those affected by latest breast cancer blunder
News that 18 women have now been told they have breast cancer after screening errors by a radiologist in East Lancashire failed to diagnose the disease, has raised concerns about the screening process and the effect this latest blunder will have on women’s confidence in the tests.
The women were among hundreds who underwent mammograms at Accrington Victoria Community Hospital. 355 cases had to be reviewed by an independent study and of these cases 85 women were re-tested and 14 were diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. A further four women were found to have a non-invasive breast cancer. The radiologist involved last screened patients in December 2008.
National clinical negligence law firm Moore Blatch Resolve specialises in these types of cases and warns that lessons must be learned to prevent this type of potentially fatal mistake happening again.
Specialist solicitor from the firm, Victoria Hydon, comments: “Those involved will obviously be very anxious to find out why this dreadful error has happened. The misdiagnoses of this type of cancer could mean the difference between life and death, and the women and their families involved must be terribly frightened and angry. To be given the all clear only to find out you do in fact have an aggressive type of breast cancer must be devastating.
“This type of incident will also affect the confidence of other women who are undergoing breast cancer screenings. It can be a daunting experience for some and this added worry will make the whole process even more stressful. We place a lot of trust in the medical profession but this latest incident will greatly affect people’s confidence. Although these types of situations are rare this will be little comfort to those facing the prospect of gruelling treatment to try and overcome the disease. “Those affected may well have a claim for compensation and I would advise anybody directly involved to seek legal advice. The financial burden of being off work while undergoing treatment or losing a loved one and being left to provide for your family on your own can be distressing and worrying for the victims and their families.”
Moore Blatch Resolve provides a freephone number 0800 158 5258 or an online enquiry form service www.clinicalclaims.com that offers confidential, free, no-obligation, expert advice.