Misdiagnosis for breast cancer sufferers
Updated on 24 January 2006
Twenty-two women were wrongly given the all clear at two Greater Manchester hospitals when they actually had breast cancer.
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An investigation has now been launched into the misdiagnoses and the radiologist at the centre of the scandal has been suspended.
"It is absolutely frightful. I have certainly never been involved as anything as upsetting as this," said Dr Richard Campbell, medical director for Trafford Healthcare Trust.
The cases of nearly 2,500 women had to be reviewed and 176 were recalled to hospital to undergo fresh mammograms.
The incorrect diagnoses occurred at the North Manchester General Hospital and Trafford General Hospital.
Cancer experts who reviewed the cases have concluded that 17 of the 22 patients with breast cancer had a delayed diagnosis which is likely to have worsened their survival chances.
About 41,000 women in Britain find out each year they have breast cancer and the speed of their diagnosis and treatment has a significant impact on survival rates, according to charity CancerBACUP.
Campbell said one of the women had spent two years
unaware she had the disease after she was given a clean bill of health.
