A mum-of-two was left with scars across her face after being turned away from her GP several times, and given cream for what turned out to be skin cancer.
Elizabeth Williams, 60, visited her GP on multiple occasions over a period of two and a half years with a lesion on her nose, as well as scabbing and bleeding. She was referred to dermatology and underwent treatment there, but when she changed GPs in May 2019, Elizabeth was referred to a clinic, where she underwent a biopsy.
Just weeks later in September 2019, she was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma, a form of skin cancer, on her left nostril.
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She underwent surgery, including reconstruction of her nostril, ear skin flap, radiotherapy and de-bulking revision surgery.
Elizabeth, an assistant manager at her local authority in Dorchester, Dorset, said: "Hearing that I had cancer is a moment I’ll never forget. I had been to the doctor more than once about my nose, but not for one minute did I ever think it was something that serious.
“When I was given my diagnosis, I was devastated. As it had been there for some time, I was also worried that it might have spread. I’ve been left with facial scarring due to the surgery, and also had to have part of my nose reconstructed which was really distressing to go through.
“While I’m now cancer free, I’m constantly worried that it’s going to come back. The whole experience has really taken its toll on my mental health and really knocked my confidence.
“At the same time, I’m so grateful to still be here and thankful for the support I’ve had. I know nothing will change what’s happened, but I want to make others aware of what to look out for when it comes to skin cancer."
When Elizabeth attended her original GP in December 2017, she was prescribed a cream to use for three to four weeks. However no advice was given regarding what to do if the lesion hadn’t resolved in that time, and no follow-up appointment was arranged.
In May 2019 she attended another surgery and a routine referral was made to a dermatology clinic. That August, Elizabeth reported swelling around the site of the lesion.
Her referral was upgraded to urgent and she underwent a biopsy later that month. She was diagnosed with skin cancer that September.
Following her diagnosis, she has instructed expert medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate her care and whether more could have been done to diagnose and treat her cancer sooner.
Alice Webster, the specialist medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Elizabeth, said: “The last few years have been incredibly difficult for Elizabeth as she struggled to come to terms with her diagnosis.
“Understandably, she also has a number of concerns over whether more could have been done to diagnose and treat her cancer sooner, given that she had attended GP appointments on various occasions regarding the lesion on her nose.
“While nothing can make up for what Elizabeth has been through, we’re now investigating her concerns to provide her with the answers she deserves. If people are concerned about their symptoms it’s vital they seek medical advice at the earliest opportunity.
"Early detection and treatment are key to beating cancer.”
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