Twenty women had breasts removed unnecessarily during NHS cancer care

Twenty women underwent unnecessary mastectomies while being treated for breast cancer at the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust (CDDFT) in north‑east England, part of a broader pattern of harm affecting hundreds of patients at the trust’s breast unit. The trust confirmed the cases after the BBC reported that more than 200 patients had suffered adverse outcomes, prompting a joint investigation by the National Crime Agency and Durham police into possible criminal offences. Chief executive Steve Russell expressed deep regret, acknowledging that the trust had missed opportunities to listen and act sooner, and outlined ongoing reviews of breast‑cancer cases from January 2023 to February 2025 as well as a look‑back into the care of 640 former patients who had used a dedicated helpline. The trust’s board will meet publicly on 24 September to discuss the scope and timetable of the look‑back, though no final decision has been made.

The unnecessary surgeries stemmed from diagnostic failures, including missed cancers that later spread and insufficient screening or biopsies that could have identified benign tissue. One patient, identified only as Jo on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, described how a small cancer in a large breast was misinterpreted, leading to a mastectomy that she later learned was not required. Denise Howarth, a 51‑year‑old from Consett, was told after a lumpectomy and lymph‑node removal that a further mastectomy was necessary; she later received a call from the trust informing her the operation had been unwarranted, leaving her shocked and devastated. Both women emphasized the profound personal and psychological impact of losing a breast unnecessarily, describing the experience as “horrendous” and “life‑changing,” and highlighting a loss of confidence and sense of self that they may never fully recover from.

Legal representatives for the affected women, including Hudgell Solicitors, are urging a public inquiry into the systemic failures at CDDFT’s breast services. Rachel O’Connor of the firm noted that the trust’s shortcomings have persisted for years, resulting in serious harm to many women. The trust has instituted significant changes to its breast service, established a dedicated support line, and pledged continued openness and updates as the review progresses. The ongoing investigations and potential legal actions underscore the broader implications for NHS cancer care standards, patient trust, and the need for robust oversight to prevent similar failures in the future.

⚡ Effects Interpreter