A mother waited 18 months for surgery only to be diagnosed with breast cancer, prompting an apology from the NHS for the delay in her treatment
Dudley: A 31-year-old mum named Sharni Marks has been through a tough time. She was on the waiting list for a double mastectomy for 18 months, only to find out she had breast cancer. It’s heartbreaking, right?
Sharni found out she had the BRCA2 gene back in 2018, which puts her at a higher risk for breast cancer. She was told that getting the surgery would help reduce that risk. But after being added to the waiting list in August 2022, she had no surgery date in sight.
Despite being told she was a priority, it wasn’t until March 2024 that she finally got her surgery. Unfortunately, a post-op check revealed cancer in the tissue they removed. The NHS has since apologized for the long wait.
Sharni shared her feelings, saying, “I thought being under the care of breast surgeons would be the best thing for me.” But as time passed, she felt more anxious and frustrated about the delays. She was relieved to finally have the surgery, but that relief quickly turned to devastation when she learned about the cancer.
She reflected on the emotional toll this has taken on her life. “It feels like I went through all that for nothing,” she said. It’s a lot to handle, especially when you think about how many others might be in the same boat.
After her diagnosis, Sharni reached out to medical negligence solicitors to investigate her treatment. She wants to ensure she gets the care she needs moving forward. Laura Ellacott, a medical negligence expert, emphasized how difficult this has been for Sharni and her family.
Ellacott pointed out that while the NHS is under pressure, delays can lead to serious consequences. “Each case isn’t just a statistic; it’s a real person facing unnecessary suffering,” she said. It’s a reminder that behind every waiting list, there are real lives affected.
Sharni is determined to focus on her recovery, but she’s also raising awareness about the waiting list issues. “It’s concerning that there could be many others waiting for surgery who might face similar diagnoses,” she said. It’s a serious issue that needs attention.
The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust has acknowledged the situation and is looking into ways to prevent this from happening again. They’ve promised to improve their practices to ensure better patient care in the future.
