A Surrey mother has spoken of her devastation after a missed email led to a 10-month delay in her breast cancer diagnosis. Wioletta Smith, 41, from East Molesey, attended a mammogram at Kingston Hospital in December 2022 after noticing changes in her right breast. The results flagged a need for further investigation, including an ultrasound and possible biopsy, but the email containing this alert was never received by the breast clinic.
The hospital trust has admitted the result was not delivered through standard procedures, meaning no follow-up action was taken. Ms Smith assumed everything was fine and only discovered a lump in October 2023. She visited her GP and was referred via the urgent suspected cancer pathway, leading to a diagnosis of grade 3 breast cancer.
Ms Smith said: 'I always made sure to attend all my appointments, so when I didn't hear back, I assumed everything was fine. To find out less than a year later that I had cancer was a huge shock. I have a young son and I want to be around to see him grow up.' She underwent surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
The hospital has apologised and redesigned its radiological alert distribution process to minimise the risk of human error. Lauren Mannion, of Irwin Mitchell, which is investigating Ms Smith's care, said: 'Despite what happened, it's important people continue to participate in screening programmes and seek medical advice if concerned.'
