A mum with aggressive breast cancer which spread to her lungs and brain was twice refused a mammogram as she was “too young”.
Eileen Muir, 46, visited two doctors with lumps on her breast, but it took nine months and a third GP for her to get the scan after her surgery claimed their procedure was only to refer patients over 50 with a family history of the disease.
The mum-of-two said: “I was only given a mammogram after collapsing in A&E. The cancer has spread to my lungs and brain, which could have been prevented had I not waited so long for a diagnosis.”
Eileen first became concerned in 2011, when she discovered a lump on her breast. She asked to be referred for a mammogram, but claims the doctor refused, saying she was too young for the scan. After seven months of pain and discomfort, she booked an appointment to get a second opinion.Join our campaignAbout six weeks later, Eileen noticed a huge lump protruding from her chest. Her partner Dave rushed her to A&E, where she collapsed in pain. In January 2012, Eileen made a third trip to her surgery. A locum spotted the signs of cancer and referred her to hospital.
Within days, aggressive breast cancer was diagnosed, and Eileen had surgery to remove her breast. A course of chemo and reconstruction surgery followed.
In 2013, she decided to have a second mastectomy to remove her other breast as a preventative measure. During a pre-surgery scan, medics discovered a tumour on her lung. Then, in April that year, a trip to the consultant revealed cancer had spread to her brain.
With tumours in close proximity to her spinal cord, surgery wasn’t an option, so Eileen endured yet more chemo and radiotherapy. She’s still having the treatment, but just a few weeks ago, got the news she’s spent two years desperately hoping for. Early signs show the cancer has reduced all over her body.
She’s relieved, but Eileen, who has since had to give up work, is still angry about her cancer misdiagnosis.
“I’m astonished that, despite my pleas, no doctor would send me for a mammogram, even though there were clearly lumps in my breast,” said Eileen, of Bathgate, West Lothian, who has backed The Sunday Post’s Fighting Chance campaign.
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