A mother was diagnosed with breast cancer 10 months late due to a missed email, her lawyers say.
Kingston Hospital Foundation Trust apologized to Wioletta Smith, 41, who was left “devastated” after the incident.
The mother of a young son had attended an annual check-up at Kingston Hospital, south-west London, in December 2022 due to changes in her right breast.
The radiologist marked the mammogram image as FAR (additional measures required) with recommendations for ultrasound evaluation and possible biopsy.
It was then emailed to the breast clinic, but it later emerged it was never received, Smiths’ lawyers Irwin Mitchell said.
The hospital trust claimed in a letter that the result was not sent through the agreed process, so it was not received by the breast clinic and the recommendations were not implemented.
Wioletta Smith was diagnosed with breast cancer 10 months late due to a lost email, her lawyers say
Kingston Hospital Foundation Trust has apologized to the 41-year-old man who was left “devastated” following the incident.
When she received no response, Mrs Smith, from East Molesey in Surrey, “assumed everything was fine”.
In October 2023, she went to her GP’s office reporting a lump in her breast and was referred under the two-week urgent suspected cancer pathway.
The mother underwent a biopsy and was diagnosed with grade three breast cancer.
She said: ‘I always made sure I attended all my hospital appointments and check-ups, so when I didn’t receive any news about the mammogram in question, I assumed everything was fine.
“So, finding out less than a year later that I had cancer was a huge shock; I was absolutely devastated.
‘It would have been easy for me to break down and think “why me?” But I knew I couldn’t change the diagnosis, so I was determined to fight it. I have a young son and I want to be around to watch him grow up, so giving up really wasn’t an option.’
Following her diagnosis, Ms Smith underwent surgery to remove the lump and treatment including chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
In October 2023, Wioletta Smith attended her GP surgery reporting a lump in her breast and was referred under the two-week suspected cancer urgent pathway. The mother underwent a biopsy and was diagnosed with grade three breast cancer.
Ms Smith says she has since received a letter from the trust apologizing but still feels disappointed.
In its letter, the hospital writes that they have since redesigned their process for distributing radiology alerts and the pathway for patients under surveillance to review mammograms to “minimize the likelihood of human error.”
Ms Smith, who is a financial planner, has now commissioned Irwin Mitchell medical negligence solicitors to investigate her care and is working hard to raise awareness of the importance of testing.
She added: “The treatment process has been exhausting, both physically and emotionally, and I have had to keep telling myself that it is temporary and that I will get through the other side.”
“I still feel very disappointed in the hospital’s trust but I appreciate the apology and that they have made changes to help prevent something like this from happening to anyone else.
‘I hope that by speaking out, I can raise awareness about the symptoms of breast cancer. Many people are affected by this disease, so we all need to know what to look out for.’
Following her diagnosis, Ms Smith underwent surgery to remove the lump and treatment including chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Lauren Mannion, the lawyer representing Ms Smith, said: “The past year has been incredibly difficult for Wioletta to come to terms with her diagnosis and the physical and emotional impact it has had on her.
‘Through our work, we sadly see the devastating effects that breast cancer can have and Wioletta understandably has a number of questions and concerns about the events that led to her diagnosis.
‘While we continue to support Wioletta to access the specialist support and therapies she needs, we welcome the Trust’s commitment to improving patient safety.
‘Despite what happened with Wioletta and current concerns about cancer care and waiting times, it is important that people continue to participate in screening programs or seek medical advice as soon as possible if they are worried about having cancer.
“Early detection and treatment are key to beating it.”
The hospital trust has been contacted for comment.