Twenty Women Underwent Unnecessary Mastectomies, NHS Trust Admits
BBC News Report
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Figure caption: Watch: Denise (pictured), Pam, and other women describe how they were failed.
By Sharon Barbour, North East & Cumbria health correspondent, Victoria Archer, BBC Local Investigations, and Ben Milne.
Published 18 September 2026, 00:36 BST
Updated 20 minutes ago
Twenty women underwent mastectomies needlessly while being treated for breast cancer, the County Durham and Darlington Foundation Trust (CDDFT) has admitted to the BBC. These patients were among hundreds who suffered during treatment at the trust's breast unit, following revelations of serious failures last year.
Steve Russell, CDDFT's newly appointed chief executive, offers a sincere apology: "There are no words I could use to convey how personally distressed I am. What happened was utterly unacceptable."
Dozens of affected women and their families reached out after our initial reporting. Patients shared the shock of learning mastectomies could have been avoided, along with the ongoing psychological and physical challenges many still face. We also met former patients who have formed support groups and are advocating for a public inquiry.
CDDFT is conducting an internal review of breast cancer cases from January 2023 to February 2025, expanding to include 640 former patients who contacted a dedicated helpline. Of the 514 reviewed so far, 315 experienced harm, with 77 significantly affected. One patient's death is also documented.
The trust identified missed or delayed cancer diagnoses in some cases, leading to disease progression. Russell indicates the scope of the review may be expanded to include up to 10,000 cases dating back to 2015, after consultation with patients' groups, clinical experts, and legal representatives. Any decision will be publicly announced.
The National Crime Agency is collaborating with Durham Police to investigate allegations from former patients, aiming to determine if any criminal offenses occurred.
Denise Howarth is among the women who received news that her breast was removed unnecessarily. "I was just in shock, then ended up in tears on the phone," she recalls. Denise was diagnosed with slow-growing cancer in 2023 and underwent a lumpectomy followed by a mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. She later learned a second lumpectomy could have been an option but was never discussed.