MEDIA RELEASE - 10 July 2006
BreastScreen alleged to be negligent after mammograms fail to pick up cancer
Two Queensland women could sue BreastScreen Gold Coast Service for medical negligence after they both developed breast cancer despite undertaking mammograms. It is alleged that Breastscreen Gold Coast Service should have picked up the women's cancer from their mammogram results.
Sandra Harley, aged 48 from Runaway Bay, had to undergo a partial mastectomy and now has a much worse prognosis. Philippa Naismith, aged 52 from Mudgeeraba, now has terminal cancer.
Maurice Blackburn lawyer Sarah Yellop said, "This is tragic for my clients. One of them is now dying, the other has lost a breast and is likely to die prematurely."
"Their cases show that the mammogram screening process is not fail-safe. Screening is essential but errors can occur, and women should get results re-checked if they're worried about the original diagnosis."
Philippa Naismith said, "Medical practitioners are not gods and women need to know they should trust their own instincts and get results double-checked if they feel there is a problem."
Sandra Harley said, "I just want to let other women know what happened to me, could happen to them."
"Who knows how many other women are out there in a similar predicament? Women must be vigilant in their breast-checks and monitor other health signs."
Lawyer Sarah Yellop said that if negligence had occurred, both women had a strong case for significant compensation.
"Other breast cancer victims should know that they may have a claim for compensation if their cancer was not picked up by the mammogram process when it should have been," said Ms Yellop.
Media Contact: Erin Farley on 0409 510 879 or Scott Parker on 0432 828 003
