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An NHS trust in north-east England has revealed that twenty women unnecessarily underwent mastectomies while receiving breast cancer treatment. These cases are part of a larger group of patients who suffered harm at the County Durham and Darlington Foundation Trust (CDDFT) breast unit. This disclosure follows earlier reports which exposed serious shortcomings in the unit’s care. Steve Russell, the new chief executive of CDDFT, offered an unreserved apology for the unacceptable level of harm caused by the trust.
Since the BBC’s initial investigation, many affected women and their families have come forward to share their experiences. Patients described the profound shock they felt upon learning that their mastectomies could have been avoided, along with the ongoing physical and emotional distress they endure. Some former patients have formed support groups, seeking answers and pushing for a public inquiry. Currently, CDDFT is conducting an internal review of breast cancer cases dating from January 2023 to February 2025, examining more than 640 former patients who reached out via a dedicated helpline. The review so far has found 315 instances of harm out of 514 cases studied, with 77 being deemed significantly harmful. Tragically, one patient is known to have died.
Among those affected is Denise Howarth, a 51-year-old woman from Consett, County Durham. Diagnosed with slow-growing grade 1 cancer in 2023, Denise underwent a lumpectomy followed by a mastectomy, alongside chemotherapy and radiotherapy. However, in 2025, she was informed by the trust that a second lumpectomy could have been performed instead of removing her entire breast—a treatment option
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