(NaturalNews) Elizabeth Dawes, a 39-year-old UK resident, is taking legal action against Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, which operates New Cross hospital -- the place where she underwent surgery to remove a cancerous tumor in her breast as well as lymph nodes in her armpit, only to later be informed that she didn't have cancer after all.⁽¹⁾

"Nothing can make up for what has happened but I am determined to see justice done and feel I at least deserve an official apology from the Trust given the huge impact this has had on my life," said Dawes, who worked at the hospital's oncology department as a breast care nurse before she became too depressed after her diagnosis and subsequent surgery to continue working there.⁽¹⁾

Dawes explains that she was also told by hospital staff that she should have reconstructive surgery to cosmetically enhance her post-surgery breasts. But just a few days after her initial surgery, hospital staff unloaded the shocking news to her during a follow-up visit: There was a mix-up with other hospital charts; Dawes never had cancer in the first place.

Misdiagnosed woman "still in pain"

While Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust has admitted liability for the unnecessary surgery and the misdiagnosis, continuing to fully cooperate in this unfortunate matter, it doesn't undo what's been done. There's been physical and emotional scarring; in addition to changes in her body which Dawes says has altered her confidence, she explains that she also began preparing for the worst upon the news, getting her family affairs and finances in order.

"I am still in pain now, have lost a lot of sensation in my breasts and the scarring has not improved, which hugely affects my self-confidence," she said.

Her lawyer, Louise Hawkley, said, "This is a truly shocking case that has left Elizabeth appalled at the unnecessary heartache, and extensive scarring she has suffered as a result of being wrongly told that she had breast cancer. There are also very serious patient safety concerns about the 'mix-up' and how the other patients have potentially been affected too."⁽¹⁾

Sadly, similar situations have occurred often, and they're becoming more commonplace.

Medical misdiagnoses, unnecessary treatments becoming common

In 2012, the president of Argentina, Cristina Fernandez, told her story in which she was told she had cancer and needed to have her thyroid gland removed. She did, but future testing on the tissue in that area produced no evidence that cancer even existed; her surgery was unnecessary and like, Dawes, caused a great deal of heartache and devastation.⁽²⁾

In other instances, there are doctors who become involved in more than a chart mix-up or inaccurate diagnosis; they engage in a twisted health game in which they knowingly ruin lives so they can gain a profit.

Such a sick situation unfolded in Michigan a couple of years ago when oncologist Farid Fata, administered unnecessary chemotherapy treatments to patients who weren't even sick. He told patients that they had cancer when they did not, continuing this madness in which he engaged in a $35 million Medicare fraud scheme.⁽³⁾

"Fata wouldn't stop chemo, and went to great lengths to administer it," said one leukemia patient's son, Jeff. He explains instances where Dr. Fata would arrange for staff to meet his father in the parking garage and administer chemotherapy while he sat in his car. Sadly, the man died just a few months later.⁽³⁾

The evil Fata plead guilty to 16 counts of healthcare fraud and misdiagnosing patients, 13 counts of healthcare fraud, two counts of money laundering and one kickback count.

Medical horrors stress importance of second opinions, asking questions

Stories like these clearly do not paint a good picture of the medical system. They are real situations that have unfolded and ones that can't be ignored. It shows that anyone, regardless of where they live, or their gender, race, age or profession, can become a victim of a disorganized, corrupt system or individual.

At the very least, it's important to be aware of stories like these and to always seek a second opinion. Always ask questions, even if it puts medical professionals on the spot; why not ask them to double-check charts to ensure they do indeed have the correct information and patient name? It may be awkward to question these professionals about something as basic as having the correct patient information, but isn't it worth it if it means potentially avoiding unnecessary surgeries and misdiagnosed sicknesses?

Sources:

(1) http://www.dailymail.co.uk

(2) http://www.naturalnews.com

(3) http://blogs.naturalnews.com

http://truthwiki.org/Medical_Fascism

http://www.naturalnews.com/z051330_breast_cancer_tumorectomy_misdiagnosis.html