DOZENS of women are waiting to discover if they will need to be treated for breast cancer after a British screening service failed to pick up signs of malignant cells.
Eight women screened in North Cumbria, northern England, were already undergoing treatment having previously been given the all-clear for the disease. A further patient had non-invasive cancer. The mistake was identified by a review of the service ordered in July after cancer was detected in fewer cases than normally expected.
Screening was immediately halted while the review took place. It reportedly involved 1600 women who were given further tests after routine mammograms since April 2007.
Their films were sent to external screening centres and so far 1477 were returned with 1302 needing no further tests. Another 130 were advised to have further checks. Of those 49 were seen so far, with 40 not needing further investigations. In the eight cases where cancer cells were detected, three women started a course of treatment, another was planned and two others were having a plan developed.
Health bosses apologised for any distress caused.
Carole Heatly, chief executive of the North Cumbria NHS Trust, said: “Our trust fully understands and appreciates the distress and anxiety this issue will have caused and apologies to all concerned. We are undertaking every measure possible to ensure that we provide the best high-quality service.”
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