Cervical Cancer Claim - 42 Month Delay

CERVICAL CANCER; 42 MONTH DELAY IN DIAGNOSIS; DEATH

P V EAST KENT HEALTH AUTHORITY (2002)

£375,000 FOLLOWING DEATH OF 28 YEAR OLD WIFE AND MOTHER OF TWO.

Aged 19 P's routine cervical smear was reported as normal.

Aged 23 P was diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer. She was treated with radical hysterectomy and removal of ovaries.

Aged 27 P's cancer recurred. She was treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Aged 28 P died of her recurrence.

P left a husband and two young children.

BREACH OF DUTY

The Health Authority accepted that the cervical smear had been misreported.

CAUSATION

The Health Authority accepted that at the time diagnosis should have happened P could have received local treatment, the progression of her cancer stopped and life saved.

OUTCOME

Compensation was agreed at £375,000