Negative results from smear test meant cancer had a chance to develop before treatment

Ms B had a cervical smear taken in 2004. The smear test yielded cells, which were stained and placed on a slide, for microscopic examination.  The cytology screener reviewed the slide and reported it as negative. In 2006 Ms B attended A & E with heavy abnormal vaginal bleeding.  She was subsequently diagnosed as suffering from cervical cancer necessitating a radical hysterectomy, chemotherapy and radiation treatment. It was argued on Ms B’s behalf that the cytology screener had in 2004 incorrectly reported the smear test as negative and that the slide had in fact shown abnormal cells.   The slides should have been sent to a consultant cytopathologist for examination.  Had that been done, Ms B would have been referred for investigation and treatment before cancer had the chance to develop.  Digby Brown successfully pursued a claim on Ms B’s behalf for compensation.