'Either I wasn't listened to or reports were not read right': Hospital apologises over cancer diagnosis delay

Michelle Craughwell, 28, outside the Four Courts. 'It has been really hard for myself and my family to go through all this turmoil for something that could have been an easy fix at the very beginning. Picture: Collins Courts

A hospital has unreservedly apologised to a 28-year-old woman for deficiencies in her radiology care that led to a two-year delay in the diagnosis of a rare cancer.

The High Court heard that Michelle Craughwell's adrenal gland cancer was not diagnosed at University Hospital Galway until last year, by which time it had reached Stage 4.

Her counsel, Jonathan Kilfeather, instructed by Damian Tansey Solicitors, told the High Court that if a 2023 scan of Ms Craughwell’s pelvis and abdomen at the Galway hospital had been read correctly, she could have had surgery.

“Unfortunately, the cancer was not spotted until two years later and by then it was Stage 4,” said Mr Kilfeather.

An apology from University Hospital Galway was read to the court as Ms Caughwell, from Tuam, Co Galway, settled a High Court action against the HSE over the delay in her cancer diagnosis.

Outside the Four Courts building on Wednesday morning, Ms Craughwell was flanked by her parents Fiona O'Toole and Cyril Craughwell. She  said she was grateful for the apology from the hospital, “but most importantly I am really disappointed my cancer was not picked up in 2023".

She added: “It has been really hard for myself and my family to go through all this turmoil for something that could have been an easy fix at the very beginning.” 

She said she was back and forth to the Galway hospital “so many times” and “either I wasn’t listened to” or “reports were not read right".

She said she felt both disappointed and let down, while remaining grateful for the support she had received throughout her illness. “I just hope it does not happen to more families,” said Ms Craughwell.

In an apology read to the court, University Hospital Galway general manager Chris Kane said: “On behalf of University Hospital Galway, we would like to sincerely and unreservedly apologise for the deficiencies in radiology care in 2023 which led to the delay in diagnosis of your adrenal cortical carcinoma.” 

He added: “We wish to acknowledge the upset and distress that this has caused you, and we do not underestimate the challenges that you are facing. We deeply regret this and offer you our sincere apologies.” 

In the proceedings it was claimed there was a failure to report the July 2023 scan to the standard expected of a consultant radiologist.

There was an alleged failure to report the right adrenal mass, which was claimed to be significant and visible in July 2023, and a failure to advise followup radiology.

There was, it was claimed, a delay between July 16, 2023, and June 19, 2025, in diagnosing Ms Craughwell’s rare cancer of the adrenal glands. 

It was contended that the cancer was confined to the adrenal gland in July 2023 and was Stage 1, but when diagnosed in 2025, it was Stage 4 cancer with metastasis.

Mr Justice Paul Coffey was told liability was admitted in the case, but causation was an issue.

Noting the settlement, Mr Justice Coffey sympathised with Ms Craughwell for everything she had gone through and wished her all the best for the future.