Cancer retesting shock for mother

Deaths after missed cancer cases

A young mother, twice given the all-clear after breast cancer examinations, has told of her shock at learning her results need retesting.

Fiona Williams, 26, was tested at Wrexham Maelor Hospital, where it has emerged that 12 patients were given inaccurate findings.

The hospital is now reviewing a total of 4,500 cases, including that of Ms Williams, from Wrexham.

She said to wait up to five days to discover the new results was "awful".

Three of the 12 given the wrong results were incorrectly told they were clear of cancer.

I hadn't heard anything... until I switched on the television news. My daughter was playing and I had to tell her to be quiet because I couldn't believe what I was hearing Fiona Williams

Two of the 12 have subsequently died, although the hospital has said they were correctly diagnosed by other means and it was confident the treatment the pair had would not have differed.

The cause of the two deaths has not been revealed.

The errors related to tissue samples "reported on" by pathologist Roger Williams during April 2006 to September 2007.

Dr Williams, who stood down as locum shortly after the problems came to light last September, has said he is "deeply sorry".

Ms Williams, who has a six-year-old daughter Kara, is among almost 400 patients who have contacted a hospital helpline.

Dr Roger Williams has apologised to patients affected

"I found a lump in 2006 and went to the doctors," she said.

"Because I was under 25, they said I needed a scan, and they confirmed a benign lump. I had it removed anyway. When the tests came back, they again confirmed it was benign.

"A year later, in May or June 2007, I found a lump on the other side. I had a biopsy and while I was being tested they gave me the option to have the lump removed anyway.

"It was the second time this had happened to me and I thought my luck would run out, so I opted to have the lump removed. When the tests came back, the lump was confirmed as benign again.

"I now have to be tested once a year for the next three years.

"I hadn't heard anything about these problems with testing, until I switched on the television news last night. My daughter was playing and I had to tell her to be quiet because I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

"I realised both my tests fell into the timescale they are looking at. I rang the helpline and they said they would get back to me the following day.

A phone line has been opened for patients at the hospital

"Earlier today they rang to say unfortunately my tests are among the batch they are not sure about.

"Apparently my tests will now be looked at again, but I have to wait three to five days to find out. Realistically, that means I won't find out until next week, which is awful.

"It's a long time of not knowing.

"I think the hospital has handled it very badly. They haven't sent out any letters, and all I know is what I've heard from the news.

"They could at least have notified us rather than letting people find out on the television at teatime."

The North East Wales NHS Trust said it was investigating every tissue test reported on by Dr Williams from April 2006 to September 2007.

Patients have been told it will take up to 12 weeks to complete the work. They will be contacted as soon as the results of their tests are confirmed, and the trust said most patients would not have to wait that long.

All those who contact the helpline and whose test was reported on by Dr Williams have been told they will be contacted again within three working days.

Anyone who is worried can contact the hospital's helpline on 01978 726155.

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