NHS Breast Cancer Screening Error

June 19, 2018

In May 2018, Jeremy Hunt admitted that 450,000 women across the UK were not invited to final breast screenings between 2009 and 2018.

Mr Hunt confirmed that a technical issue had occurred which dated back to 2009 and was only noticed in 2018. Only women between the ages of 68 and 71 were reported to have been affected by this issue.

What happened?

Due to an IT error within the NHS system, up to 270 of those women affected could have died prematurely and there may be other women out there whose cancer was detected later than it should have been.

Under the NHS, women aged between 50 and 70 are invited for an X-ray Mammogram every three years to determine whether there are any lumps or abnormalities within the breast, which could be or become breast cancer.

Statistics show that around 2.5 million women are invited for an X-ray Mammogram each year and in 2016-2017 70% attended and 18,400 cancers were detected.

Whilst not every invite is accepted, the main benefit of breast screening is the ability to detect abnormalities earlier and treat cancers as early as possible when they are more treatable and less aggressive.

We may be able to help you

If you’ve been affected by this error made by the NHS, we may be able to help you.

Clinical Negligence claims are subject to a 3 year limitation period which begins when the negligence occurs, or from the earliest date that you became aware of any potential negligence. Any claim brought after the limitation date, would be statute barred.

Please contact our Personal Injury/Clinical Negligence team at Tayntons Solicitors on 0800 158 4147 for a free 30 minute consultation to discuss your case further.

Article prepared by Sophie Hinks, Paralegal.