I was told to 'stop wasting NHS time' with common cancer sign
A MUM who claims she was told by an NHS trust to “stop taking up precious time” is now living with terminal cancer after a devastating diagnosis.
TL;DR
- Sue Spencer, 59, was diagnosed with terminal stage four breast cancer after years of allegedly being dismissed by NHS staff.
- She found a lump in 2016 but was reassured by a breast surgeon, despite a previous breast cancer diagnosis in 2011.
- Spencer claims she was 'dismissed and ignored' for years regarding severe breast pain, exhaustion, and breathlessness.
- Doctors discovered seven tumors on her lungs in February 2024 during tests for diverticulitis, leading to her terminal diagnosis.
- She is seeking legal action against the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust (CDDFT) amid a wider breast cancer care scandal.
- The Trust is extending an independent review of patient treatment dating back to 2015, potentially affecting 4,500 patients, with initial reviews identifying 321 cases of harm.
- Dr. Amir Bhatti, a breast cancer surgeon at the Trust, had his surgical duties restricted in February 2025.
- Durham Police and the National Crime Agency are investigating potential criminal offenses.
- The Trust admitted using an FNA test in 2016 was inappropriate and a core biopsy should have been performed.
- Spencer states she was told to 'stop taking up precious time' by healthcare professionals.
- One million people are reported to have missed breast cancer screenings in the UK, potentially leading to undetected cancers.
- Symptoms of breast cancer include lumps, changes in skin or nipple appearance, unusual discharge, and persistent breast pain.