Turning heartbreak into awareness: The importance of early detection of Breast Cancer

Mrs F was a devoted sister, mother, and wife who spent her time caring for her husband and their children, who were all under the age of 19, one of which had global development delay and dysplasia, requiring around the clock care.

Mrs F was known for her warmth, kindness and energy. She was active, looking after her family and providing full-time care at home to one of her children.

In April, Mrs F first noticed a painful spot on her right breast and was prescribed antibiotics by her GP. Over the next two years, she began to notice subtle but persistent changes in her right breast. This included dimpling, puckering and a thick green discharge from the right nipple that sometimes contained blood.

By November, these symptoms had worsened, and Mrs F returned to her GP, who again prescribed antibiotics. When there was no improvement, Mrs F was referred to the Breast Clinic at Glenfield Hospital for further investigation.

At the hospital, Mrs F had a mammogram and ultrasound, both of which were reported as showing only skin changes, with no underlying breast abnormality. A skin biopsy and MRI were also performed, but these were also reported as normal. Mrs F was reassured that there was nothing serious to worry about and the swelling she experienced was described as ‘idiopathic oedema’, which is a term used to describe fluid retention and swelling where the underlying cause is unknown. Mrs F was reassured and was told it was not cancer. However, her symptoms continued and she remained anxious.

Trusting the medical advice she had received, Mrs F tried to move forward and continue with her daily life despite her symptoms. The discharge stopped, but the puckering and discomfort remained. Mrs F continued caring for her family and did not return to her GP about her ongoing symptoms because she believed the tests had ruled out anything serious.

Over the following year, Mrs F developed a persistent cough, which was attributed to asthma. A year or so later in December, Mrs F was pregnant and noticed that her right breast was becoming increasingly painful and swollen. When she saw her GP again, she was immediately referred back to the hospital.

This time, scans revealed a very different picture. Mrs F’s right breast showed marked thickening and suspicious lesions. A biopsy confirmed invasive ductal carcinoma — grade 2 breast cancer. Subsequent imaging showed that the cancer had already spread to Mrs F’s lungs. At this time, Mrs F was just 29 weeks pregnant.

Despite the challenges caused by her condition, Mrs F delivered a healthy baby girl in February and began chemotherapy shortly afterwards. Mrs F was courageous and determined to fight the disease, but the cancer was aggressive and had become advanced. Over the next two years, she underwent multiple rounds of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, but, unfortunately, the cancer spread further into her bones and brain.

Sadly, around 2 years after she was diagnosed, in March, Mrs F was discharged to have end of life care at home. She died in May, aged only 37. She left behind her husband, their children, including one with severe disabilities requiring 24-hour care, and an extended family who loved her deeply.

The delay in diagnosing Mrs F’s breast cancer had life-changing and ultimately life-ending consequences. The delayed diagnosis profoundly affected Mrs F’s family. She had trusted that the earlier tests had ruled out cancer, only to learn nearly two years later that the disease was advanced and incurable.

When Mrs F was reassured that there was no evidence of cancer, the disease was likely still localized and curable. Had the cancer been identified at that stage, Mrs F would almost certainly have undergone surgery and radiotherapy with a good long-term prognosis.

Instead, by the time Mrs F was correctly diagnosed, the cancer had already spread to her lungs and was incurable. She faced the physical toll of aggressive treatment and the emotional burden of knowing that because the diagnosis was delayed, the cancer was terminal.  

The impact on Mrs F’s family was profound. Her husband, who himself had health challenges, relied heavily on her for support. Following her illness and death, her children lost not only their mother but their primary caregiver and emotional anchor. Mrs F’s death left her family without the person who had been the center of their home and care, an emotional impact which was immeasurable.

The family experienced years of uncertainty, grief and financial strain. Her eldest children took on caring roles, and her youngest, including her newborn daughter, grew up without their mother.

Mrs F’s case stands as a tragic reminder of how vital early and accurate diagnosis is, and how patients’ concerns must always be fully investigated.  

While the outcome cannot be changed, Mrs F’s family’s determination to seek answers has ensured that accountability was recognised.

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Represented by Ms Krishna Kotecha a Specialist Medical Negligence Solicitor at MDS, the case was settled after negotiations with the Defendant following a full admission of liability”.

When speaking about the case, Krishna said - “This was one of the saddest cases I have ever dealt with. I met Mrs F and she was an incredible woman - strong, positive and full of hope. Her death, caused by the hospital's failure to pick up on abnormalities during investigations, left her family without a wife and mother far too soon. No amount of money will bring her back, but I hope that the settlement will help ease some of the practical burdens they face as they move forward”.

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