A widower is warning of the dangers of breast cancer after a Hospital Trust failed to identify his wife’s abnormal test results before her death from the disease.

Lesley Greenwood had complained of pain in her left breast for around five months and sought medical advice before attending a mammogram appointment.

The scan showed a cancerous mass measuring nearly an inch, but it wasn't picked up.

Instead of being recalled, Lesley, from Spennymoor, was told her test result was normal.

The Northern Echo: Lesley Greenwood, from Spennymoor, with her daughters and grandchildren. Picture: Irwin MitchellLesley Greenwood, from Spennymoor, with her daughters and grandchildren. Picture: Irwin Mitchell (Image: Irwin Mitchell)

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Over the coming months, Lesley continued to suffer pain and her left breast became red and swollen.

The mum-of-two and grandmother-of-three attended five further medical appointments.

Following her fifth appointment and around six months after her initial mammogram, Lesley was referred to a breast clinic.

Following further tests, she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

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Eric, Lesley’s husband, said: “Lesley was an absolutely wonderful wife, mum and grandmother. She was loving, kind and generous.”

Lesley started treatment but it was later found the cancer had spread to her spine and liver. She died, aged 54, 19 months after her diagnosis.

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, which was responsible for analysing Lesley’s initial mammogram, admitted a breach of duty.

It admitted it failed to correctly interpret her mammogram and recall Lesley for further treatment.

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The Trust admitted a six-month delay in diagnosing Lesley’s cancer led to a worse prognosis for her.

As a result of the delay, it accepted that on the balance of probabilities, Lesley wouldn’t have died when she did.

Lesley, a school cleaner, started complaining of pain in her left breast in November 2015 and attended a GP appointment.

In March 2016 she attended a routine mammogram. It showed a cancerous lesion of 2.2 centimetres, but the results were classed as normal.

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Over the coming months, however, the pain persisted, and Lesley attended a further five medical appointments concerned about her condition.

Following the fifth appointment, Lesley, was referred to a breast clinic.

She underwent a further mammogram, in October 2016, which showed a 2.6 centimetre lesion. She was diagnosed with breast cancer the following day.

Lesley started chemotherapy and underwent a left breast mastectomy in April 2017. She also had  radiotherapy, continued to feel unwell with symptoms including neck pain.

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Following tests in October 2017 it was found the cancer had spread to her spine and liver.

Doctors told Lesley her cancer was incurable, and she died in May 2018.

Eric, a refuge driver, continued: “She lived for her family and loved looking after the grandkids.

“She was always keen to spoil us all and nothing was ever too much trouble for her.

“Lesley had a friend who had suffered with breast cancer and she was anxious about possibly developing it. When she started feeling pain she wanted to get checked out straight away. While the mammogram came back as normal, Lesley was still concerned especially as her pain was getting worse.

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“Despite this nothing prepared us for the news she had cancer. Coming to terms with her diagnosis and having so many questions was incredibly difficult.

“Lesley was determined to fight her cancer head on. However, she suffered terribly at times during her chemotherapy. We all hoped her treatment would make her better but she continued to suffer. To be told that her cancer had spread and was incurable felt such a cruel blow.

“We tried to cherish what time we had as a family but seeing Lesley go from being the rock of our family to how she was in those last few days is something I’m not sure I’ll ever get over.

“Even after five years, as a family, the pain we continue to feel over Lesley’s death is raw now as it was then. There’s not a day goes by where we don’t think of her and her loving smile. We’d do anything to have her back in our lives but know that’s not possible.

“We’ll always be upset by what happened to Lesley but as a family we were determined to at least honour her memory by establishing the answers regarding what happened to her.

“All we can hope for now is that by speaking out we can help raise awareness of the signs of breast cancer and the need for everyone to receive the best care possible.

“We wouldn’t wish what we’ve been through on anyone.”

A spokesperson for North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust said: “The Trust would like to express it is deeply sorry to Mrs Greenwood’s family that there was a delay in the diagnosis of her illness.

“We would like to assure the family that lessons have been learned from this very sad case – lessons which will help reduce the chances of anything like this happening in the future.

“The Trust would also like to join the family in helping raise awareness about the importance of women regularly checking their breasts and attending appointments for a mammogram when invited to do so.”