Twenty women underwent unnecessary mastectomies and many others suffered significant harm while receiving treatment under the care of an NHS trust.
An ongoing review into the breast unit at the County Durham and Darlington Foundation Trust (CDDFT) has found that hundreds of patients came to harm.
Following a BBC investigation into its standards of care, the trust said it is currently auditing breast cancer cases treated between January 2023 and February 2025, alongside those of 640 former patients who contacted a dedicated helpline.
Out of 514 cases examined so far, 315 patients were found to have suffered harm, including 77 who experienced significant harm, the trust confirmed. One patient is known to have died.
In addition, several cases were also identified where cancer diagnoses were missed or delayed, causing the disease to spread further.
Members of the trust board will meet next week to determine whether the review should be expanded to assess thousands more patient cases dating back to 2015.
Denise Howarth, 51, of Consett, County Durham, was diagnosed with stage one cancer in her left breast in February 2023.
She had a lumpectomy and lymph nodes removed, but at a follow-up review was told she still needed a mastectomy.
Ms Howarth, a mother-of-two who is being represented by Hudgell Solicitors, underwent the mastectomy, followed by chemotherapy and radiology treatment.
In September 2025, she was contacted by CDDFT and told the mastectomy had not been needed.
“They called me at home to say I needn’t have had my breast removed and it was something which really knocked me off my feet, I was completely shocked,” she said.
“I’d had an awful year already as I’d lost two close relatives and my dad was really poorly so I’d never really had much time after my mastectomy to think of myself and my recovery.
“I’d just reached a point where I was beginning to focus on myself and to look forward, and then this news came like a bolt out of the blue.
“You put your trust in professional people. To be so badly let down is something I’ll never be able to come to terms with.”
Of the trust’s response, Ms Howarth said: “An apology is not enough. This is life-changing.
“I’ve lost so much confidence. I feel robbed of the person I was before. As a woman, losing a breast has a huge impact on you.
“I fear I will never be the same person again, although I have tried to be strong.
“Friends are very kind, they praise me and tell me I look great and say how strong I am, but the reality is it’s a huge struggle. I’ve broken down many times.
“I find it difficult to choose clothing I feel comfortable and happy in, and it worsens at this time of year as I can’t really wear the summer tops with straps, I always need to wear a T-shirt.”
Steve Russell, who was appointed CDDFT chief executive in 2025, said in a statement: “We are deeply sorry to the women and families who have been harmed and let down by failings in our breast services.
“We recognise the profound impact this has had and have been clear that there were opportunities when, as a trust, we should have listened more carefully and acted sooner.
“Significant changes have since been made to the breast service and are bringing improvements for patients.
“Alongside this, the look-back continues to review past care, identify patients who may have experienced harm and make sure they receive appropriate information and support.
“On September 24, our trust board will meet in public to consider the future scope and timeframe of the look-back. No final decision has been made and it would not be right to pre-empt the board’s discussion.
“We will continue to be open about this work and will provide a further update following the meeting.
“Our dedicated support line remains available to anyone with concerns about their breast care on 0191 333 2126 or at [email protected].”
The trust has confirmed to PA that a consultant, Amir Bhatti, was CDDFT’s clinical lead for breast services from 2013 to 2024.
His clinical practice is currently restricted while an internal trust investigation is carried out, a spokeswoman for the trust said.
She added that the trust has also been co-operating with Durham Police who are looking into what happened at CDDFT.
Last year, the BBC reported that nearly £6 million had been paid by the trust over six years to breast cancer diagnostic clinics and surgery companies run privately by Mr Bhatti.
Concern about this arrangement was raised in a 2025 external review into the running of the trust, carried out by governance specialist Mary Aubrey.
She said outsourcing patient appointments had created financial incentives which were potentially “a risk to clinical standards”.
A report by the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) last year, published by the trust, also said breast cancer cases had not been discussed properly in multi-disciplinary team meetings (MDTs).
Rachel O’Connor, part of the medical negligence team at Hudgell Solicitors, is calling for a public inquiry.
She said: “We are currently advising a number of women who have had surgeries they have since been told were not needed.
“Breast cancer services at hospitals should be places where patients have the reassurance of exceptional care and support, from clinics and scans to surgeries and treatments.
“Sadly, at County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, this has not been the case for many years, as deep-rooted, systematic failures have led to women suffering serious harm.”
