Unnecessary mastectomy leaves woman unable to look in the mirror.

Our client

In October 2023, our client Claire was diagnosed with stage one breast cancer after finding a lump. A lumpectomy was performed, but soon after, she was told a second, more aggressive lump had been found behind the original mass, and that she needed a full mastectomy because of this.

Devastated, Claire felt the surgeon was cold and dismissive, leaving her too intimidated to ask questions. She accepted the advice without knowing what to expect.

The mastectomy brought severe physical and emotional consequences. About the scarring, Claire said “The scarring afterwards has been awful, both mentally and physically. I am still unable to look at myself in the mirror”.

She received little support before or after surgery and had returned to work a week after this traumatic surgery. Claire shared “It was not explained to me that I would need a drain in until the day of the operation nor what to expect in terms of recovery or arm movement. On the day of discharge, I was sent on my way with pain killers, instructions for measuring the liquid from the drain and told I would be visited by a district nurse. I was not made aware of prosthetics or that I would be provided with one from the NHS, this I found out 6 months after my mastectomy while visiting a retailer for a bra fitting and enquiring how I go about buying one. I felt very lost, alone and isolated.”

After chemotherapy and radiotherapy, Claire tried to move forward, but in January 2025, she learned her cancer had returned and spread to her liver. Now stage four and terminal, she faced another shock: a phone call from the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust revealing her mastectomy was never necessary and less invasive options could have been offered.

How we are helping

Claire is being supported in finding answers over what went wrong in her care by our specialist medical negligence solicitors.

“Claire has been retraumatised by the revelation that her mastectomy was not necessary, which is what she was told back in 2023. The fact she had to undergo such life-changing surgery was bad enough, but finding out she was not given other options when they did exist has been devastating,” says Chloe Gibson, clinical negligence solicitor who is representing her.

“Coupled with the fact Claire now lives with stage four cancer, this is such a huge weight for her to carry. We will support Claire in every way possible to establish the facts around what happened.”

How we could help you

The County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust is under investigation for medical negligence within their breast cancer service. We are running legal clinics to offer free advice to anyone who believes they may have been impacted and are dedicated to supporting these women who have suffered at the hands of negligent medical care.

To speak to our team, call us on 0330 041 5869 or contact us online to arrange a callback.