A 28-year-old woman, Sarah Boyle had undergone months of chemotherapy and having her breasts removed, only to be told she didn’t actually have cancer.Boyle has been diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer by doctors at Royal Stoke University Hospital at the end of 2016 and started treatment to battle the cancer, reports Independent UK.
However, several months later the hospital realized its error. This was after the mother-of-two had already had extensive treatment, a double mastectomy (removal of both breasts) and reconstructive surgery.
Asides the trauma of the treatments, Boyle is also faced with the fact that her breast implants increases her risk of developing cancer in the future.
“The past few years have been incredibly difficult for me and my family,” said Ms Boyle, who lives in Stoke-on-Trent, Stafford shire, with husband Steven, 31, and her two children Teddy and Louis.
“Being told I had cancer was awful, but then to go through all of the treatment and surgery to then be told it was unnecessary was traumatizing.
“As if that wasn’t bad enough, I am now worried about the possibility of actually developing cancer in the future because of the type of implants I have and I am also worried about complications that I may face because of my chemotherapy.
Ms Boyle instructed specialist medical negligence lawyers to investigate the case, who have now secured an admission of liability from University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust.
Speaking with the Independent UK, the hospital said it had apologised to Ms Boyle, adding that extra safeguard measures were now in place.
Ms Boyle said she suffered psychological trauma as a result of her ordeal and still has ongoing symptoms caused by her treatment.
She was initially told that her cancer treatment may lead to fertility issues, but went on to have a second child, Louis, who is now seven months old.
However, she was unable to breastfeed him because of her treatment.
Ms Boyle was aged 25 when she was misdiagnosed by doctors following the birth of her youngest child.