A mum from Newcastle who was "full of life" tragically died at the age of just 34 after her cancer was wrongly diagnosed as a swollen gland.
Leonie Largue discovered a lump in her right breast and went to her GP to get checked out where she was advised by a doctor it was a swollen lymph gland. The doctor failed to refer her to specialists and around 17 months later, Leonie was back again after finding two lumps.
She was referred urgently to the breast clinic and underwent a biopsy. Sadly two weeks later, Leonie was diagnosed with breast cancer and despite undergoing chemotherapy she died just a year after her diagnosis, on November 3, 2016.
The mum-of-two left behind two sons, Jack, 18, and Ryan, 15, and her husband John, 42, who has since spoken out on the importance of early detection. He instructed the medical negligence firm Irwin Mitchell to investigate his wife's care and whether she could have been diagnosed sooner.
His legal team secured him an undisclosed settlement from a GP involved in her care and he is now joining his lawyers in marking Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. John said: "It’s been six years since we lost Leonie, but the pain today still feels as raw as it did back then.
"She was so young and full of life before getting cancer, it was devastating to watch it take hold of her. For her to die so soon after being diagnosed was also incredibly difficult.
"She was the best wife and mum and to know that our sons will have to live their lives without her is unbearable. They were still very young when they had to deal with losing Leonie, and she’ll never see them get married or have families of their own."
Leonie first saw her GP in June 2014 but was turned away with no further referral. And then 17 months on, the mum went back to the GP where the previous lump was found alongside a new mass.
At the time of her death, Leonie, a sales and finance assistant, and John, a former self-employed builder, had been married for seven years. John added: "To this day, I still feel if the cancer had been found earlier, Leonie might still be here. But I know there is nothing I can do to turn back the clock and change what’s happened.
"It’s also important that cancer is found early, so please seek a second opinion if you need to. I really wish I had urged Leonie to do that; I feel it might have saved her life."
Leonie's GPs have since admitted a breach of duty in that they should have carried out a breast examination during Leonie's initial appointment - but deny that earlier treatment would have avoided her death.
Rachelle Mahapatra, the specialist medical negligence lawyer who represented John after Leonie's passing said: "Leonie’s death from breast cancer at such a young age has understandably left her loved ones heartbroken.
"John and their children, in particular, are continuing to struggle to come to terms with their loss. Cancer doesn’t discriminate; it can affect anyone, and it’s vital that it’s investigated and treated early to increase the chances of survival.
"While concerning areas in Leonie’s care have been identified during our investigations, people should still take part in cancer screening programmes and seek medical advice if they’re concerned.
"We can’t change the suffering that Leonie’s family have been through but we’re pleased to have secured this settlement which will help secure the futures of Leonie’s children and help the family access the specialist support they require to try and rebuild their lives.
"We join John in supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month. By telling his story John hopes that he can help others by raising awareness of the signs of the disease."
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