This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-30195410
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
NHS cancer delay 'prevented cure' of Katie Maytum | NHS cancer delay 'prevented cure' of Katie Maytum |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A terminally ill woman would have been cured of her cancer had she been diagnosed earlier, according to an expert witness at Cardiff High Court. | A terminally ill woman would have been cured of her cancer had she been diagnosed earlier, according to an expert witness at Cardiff High Court. |
Katie Maytum, 35, of Maesteg, claims her case was not treated as urgent and is suing Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board for £750,000. | Katie Maytum, 35, of Maesteg, claims her case was not treated as urgent and is suing Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board for £750,000. |
It admits a breach of duty. | It admits a breach of duty. |
Frederick Skidmore, of Wellington Hospital, London, said Miss Maytum would have had a 90% chance of survival if diagnosed five months earlier. | Frederick Skidmore, of Wellington Hospital, London, said Miss Maytum would have had a 90% chance of survival if diagnosed five months earlier. |
ABMU has admitted it failed to diagnose Miss Maytum, a mother of two, in August 2010 when her GP made an urgent referral for her to be seen at the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend. | |
That diagnosis was downgraded by a consultant at the hospital which meant she was not seen until January 2011. | |
'Treated sooner' | 'Treated sooner' |
She was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent surgery and chemotherapy. | She was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent surgery and chemotherapy. |
But she was told in April 2014 that the cancer had spread and that she only had two years to live. | But she was told in April 2014 that the cancer had spread and that she only had two years to live. |
Mr Skidmore told the court: "My opinion is she would have been cured of her cancer on the balance of all probabilities if she had been treated sooner." | Mr Skidmore told the court: "My opinion is she would have been cured of her cancer on the balance of all probabilities if she had been treated sooner." |
However, an expert for the defendants, Prof Nigel Bundred, from the University Hospital of South Manchester, denied the claim. | However, an expert for the defendants, Prof Nigel Bundred, from the University Hospital of South Manchester, denied the claim. |
He told the court that Miss Maytum had a particularly aggressive form of cancer and there would have been "no difference" had she been treated in September 2010 rather than February 2011. | He told the court that Miss Maytum had a particularly aggressive form of cancer and there would have been "no difference" had she been treated in September 2010 rather than February 2011. |
'Chance of survival' | |
Justice Wyn Williams asked Prof Bundred to clarify. | |
"If a patient is treated in August 2010 there is a 90% chance of survival for ten years," he said. | |
"If a patient is treated in February 2011, it's an 82% chance of survival for ten years. | |
"The only difference I can see there is the five month delay. Is it not the case that the delay has contributed to the lessening of the chance of survival?" | |
Prof Bundred told the court that there would always be a minority of women who would not respond to treatment - whatever the timing. | |
The court also heard from another expert witness, Prof Justin Stebbing, professor of cancer medicine and oncology at Imperial College, London. | |
He said: "You have a woman here with an enlarging breast lump with a window of opportunity to cure, and that was missed by a mile here. | |
"The situation here is that by the end of autumn she'd developed a volume of disease beyond which it was very difficult to cure her. | |
"The reason we have two week guidelines is precisely because of cases like this. Because beyond a certain point you can't cure a patient. | |
"To say that Katie would die at the same time [whether she was treated earlier or not] is preposterous and the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard." | |
The case continues. | The case continues. |
Previous version
1
Next version