Hospital apologises for diagnosis delay that meant woman had to have mastectomy while pregnant

Ms Rice, whose mother died of breast cancer at 48 years of age, had the breast cancer BRCA 2 gene variant, and had been attending St James’s Hospital, Dublin for reviews.

A hospital has apologised for the failings in care to a mother of two who had to have a mastectomy when she was seven months pregnant after it was discovered she had invasive breast cancer.

Seanagh Rice, aged 33, who had sued St James’s Hospital, Dublin, over an alleged delay in the diagnosing of her breast cancer, the High Court heard also had to have chemotherapy after the birth of her baby.

Her counsel, Michael Delaney SC instructed by Cian O’Carroll Solicitors, told the court it was their case that there was an eight-month delay in the diagnosis of Ms Rice’s cancer.

Ms Rice, whose mother died of breast cancer at 48 years of age, had the breast cancer BRCA 2 gene variant, and had been attending St James’s Hospital, Dublin for reviews.

In April 2023. Ms Rice had a routine breast MRI at the hospital which identified an abnormality measuring over 3cms and an ultrasound or biopsy was recommended.

It was claimed that no ultrasound or biopsy was arranged or carried out. When Ms Rice attended for her next review at the hospital in January 2024, she was sent for an urgent mammogram and ultrasound and an invasive cancer was revealed.

Ms Rice, while 31 weeks pregnant had a left breast mastectomy and reconstruction, and following the birth of her baby she required chemotherapy.

Ms Rice outside the Four Courts said she had lost precious time with her two children she will never get back. She said: “What should have been one of the happiest times in our lives became a time of enormous fear and uncertainty. 

"Instead of enjoying those precious months with my newborn baby, I was undergoing chemotherapy and cancer treatment that should never have been necessary. The physical and emotional consequences have been overwhelming.

“While I welcome the admission of liability from Saint James's Hospital and its apology, no settlement can ever give me back what I have lost.” 

Hospital apology

The apology from St James’s Hospital Dublin was read to the High Court as Ms Rice from Ballyfermot, Dublin, settled a High Court action against the hospital.

The letter of apology from St James’s Hospital CEO Mary Day said: “On behalf of Saint James’s Hospital, I wish to apologise for the failings in the care provided to you following the results of your MRI performed in April 2023. 

"We recognise that having to receive and cope with this news during your second pregnancy would have made an already difficult situation even more challenging. 

“We acknowledge that your experience fell below the standard of care that we strive to uphold and we are sorry for the distress this caused to you and your family. 

“While we cannot change what happened, we are committed to ensuring patient safety and the highest standard of care for all our patients. Please accept my sincere apologies for the impact these events had on you and your family.”

'Devastating'

Outside court, Ms Rice said her hope was that “lessons will be learned from what happened to me, and that no other woman or young mother would have to endure the same experience because an important medical finding was simply not followed up.”

She said the settlement brings to an end an incredibly difficult chapter in her life , but she said the consequences of what happened to her "are something I will carry for the rest of my life.” 

She added: “Having lost my mother to breast cancer and knowing I had the breast cancer gene I knew only too well the risks I faced. I did everything I was supposed to do including attending regular screening. 

"Because I wanted to do everything possible to protect myself and be there for my husband and children. To discover that an abnormality on my MRI had been identified but not actioned for nine months has been devastating.” 

In the proceedings, it was claimed there was a failure to take adequate measures to protect Ms Rice from the risk of developing breast cancer and her cancer was allowed to develop and spread unidentified, unmonitored and untreated until she was diagnosed in January 2024.

Ms Rice’s cancer, it was claimed, was allowed to grow and become microinvasive and she required more extensive treatment than she would otherwise have required.

Had she been diagnosed in a timely manner, it was claimed, she would not have required chemotherapy.

The hospital admitted liability in the case. Noting the settlement, Mr Justice Paul Coffey said he was delighted to see the case had been resolved to Ms Rice’s satisfaction.