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24/01/2006
Cancer patients at risk following diagnosis blunder
The lives of seventeen women may be at risk after they were wrongly given the all clear for breast cancer by a consultant radiologist in Greater Manchester.
A report into the work of the radiologist, who worked at North Manchester General and Trafford General hospitals, said that the misdiagnoses could have "significantly altered" the patients' chances of survival.
The radiologist, who has not been named, was suspended when concerns were raised about his work last year.
The report examined nearly 2,500 mammograms carried out by the radiologist since April 2003, when he began working for Trafford Healthcare NHS Trust.
In total, 176 patients had to be recalled due to concerns about their scans. Of that number, 28 patients with breast cancer were identified, whose diagnosis had been delayed because of the mis-reporting of the mammograms.
Twenty-one of those patients had been diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, six had benign breast disease and one had a treatable tumour.
Seventeen women had delays of more than three months in their diagnosis, while one woman had a delay of two years before being told that she had breast cancer.
Delays of more than three months can have serious implications for patients diagnosed with the condition.
Dr Richard Campbell, medical director at Trafford, said that these patients had been informed that the delay in their diagnosis "might significantly alter their prognosis".
Dr Emma Pennery, Nurse Consultant for charity Breast Cancer Care, said: "Clear standards must be in place in every health unit to ensure that the quality and accuracy of the work of professionals is regularly reviewed.
"Routine audits, ongoing training and multidisciplinary team working can help ensure this happens.
"Whilst the majority of mammograms are totally safe, anyone who has been misdiagnosed or whose diagnosis is delayed is likely to experience great anxiety and will need support and information."
Helplines have been established for patients affected. They are: 0161 455 0059 for Trafford or 0161 656 1999 for North Manchester.
(KMcA)
A report into the work of the radiologist, who worked at North Manchester General and Trafford General hospitals, said that the misdiagnoses could have "significantly altered" the patients' chances of survival.
The radiologist, who has not been named, was suspended when concerns were raised about his work last year.
The report examined nearly 2,500 mammograms carried out by the radiologist since April 2003, when he began working for Trafford Healthcare NHS Trust.
In total, 176 patients had to be recalled due to concerns about their scans. Of that number, 28 patients with breast cancer were identified, whose diagnosis had been delayed because of the mis-reporting of the mammograms.
Twenty-one of those patients had been diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, six had benign breast disease and one had a treatable tumour.
Seventeen women had delays of more than three months in their diagnosis, while one woman had a delay of two years before being told that she had breast cancer.
Delays of more than three months can have serious implications for patients diagnosed with the condition.
Dr Richard Campbell, medical director at Trafford, said that these patients had been informed that the delay in their diagnosis "might significantly alter their prognosis".
Dr Emma Pennery, Nurse Consultant for charity Breast Cancer Care, said: "Clear standards must be in place in every health unit to ensure that the quality and accuracy of the work of professionals is regularly reviewed.
"Routine audits, ongoing training and multidisciplinary team working can help ensure this happens.
"Whilst the majority of mammograms are totally safe, anyone who has been misdiagnosed or whose diagnosis is delayed is likely to experience great anxiety and will need support and information."
Helplines have been established for patients affected. They are: 0161 455 0059 for Trafford or 0161 656 1999 for North Manchester.
(KMcA)
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