A 52-year-old woman who claims she was given the incorrect result for a breast cancer gene test eight years ago is now seriously ill with ovarian cancer, the High Court has heard.
It is claimed the report from the testing laboratory showed a pathogenic change of the BRCA 1 gene, but in a letter sent to the woman and her treating doctor on 27 January 2010 it was incorrectly stated the breast cancer gene was normal.
The woman, whose youngest child is ten years old, has claimed she has suffered a loss of chance and the opportunity to take and seek medical advice to mitigate her risk of developing cancer.
She has further claimed if she had been made aware of the mutation and pathogenic change of the BRCA 1 gene in January 2010 she would have taken all steps necessary, including having a hysterectomy, to eliminate the possibility of cancer in the future.
The woman has brought an action against Our Lady’s Childrens’ Hospital, Crumlin, Dublin which provides genetic testing at its Genetics Department.
Tallaght Solicitors are specialist solicitors in relation to Medical Negligence, so if you have been affected by this issue, please visit our Medical Negligence page.
Source: RTE