NHS Trust Admits 20 Unnecessary Mastectomies, Hundreds Harmed
NHS Trust Admits 20 Unnecessary Mastectomies, Hundreds Harmed
A shocking admission from an NHS trust reveals 20 women underwent unnecessary mastectomies, with hundreds more suffering harm during breast cancer treatment. Investigations are underway.
A healthcare scandal has rocked County Durham and Darlington Foundation Trust (CDDFT) in north-east England, as it admits that at least twenty women underwent unnecessary mastectomies as part of their breast cancer treatment. This shocking revelation comes as part of an ongoing internal review, which has already found 315 patients to have suffered harm out of 514 cases reviewed, with 77 experiencing significant harm, and one patient tragically dying.
The BBC first reported concerns about serious failings at the trust's breast unit last year, prompting numerous affected women and their families to come forward. The issues identified include an unusually high number of mastectomies compared to other NHS trusts, operations performed too quickly, and the outsourcing of some treatments to private clinics run by the trust's own breast cancer clinical lead, an arrangement an independent expert described as a "clear conflict of interest."
Patients have shared heartbreaking accounts of the psychological and physical pain they endure after being told their mastectomies could have been avoided. Many have formed support groups and are now calling for a public inquiry to fully uncover the extent of the failings and ensure accountability.
Steve Russell, the newly appointed Chief Executive of CDDFT, has offered an "unreserved" apology for the harm caused.
He described the events as "utterly unacceptable" and expressed his personal distress over the situation.
The trust is currently reviewing breast cancer cases between January 2023 and February 2025 and has also set up a dedicated helpline which received contacts from 640 former patients.
Further compounding the tragedy, cases have also been identified where cancer diagnoses were either missed or delayed, leading to some patients experiencing the spread of their cancer. The trust is now considering extending the scope of its review to include up to 10,000 cases dating back as far as 2015, a decision that will be made public soon after consultation with patient groups, clinical experts, and legal representatives.
The severity of the situation has escalated to a criminal investigation, with the National Crime Agency now collaborating with Durham Police. They are working to investigate allegations made by former patients and determine if any criminal offences have occurred.
Denise Howarth, 51, from Consett, County Durham, is one of the women who received the devastating news that her mastectomy was unnecessary.
Diagnosed with slow-growing cancer in 2023, she underwent a lumpectomy, then a mastectomy, followed by extensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
She recounted her shock and tears upon learning that a second lumpectomy could have been an alternative, highlighting the profound impact these failures have had on individual lives.
