Concerns About Potential Delays In Diagnosis After Complications Over Smear Tests

A husband whose wife tragically died following a delayed cervical cancer diagnosis is speaking out for Cervical Cancer Prevention Week to highlight the importance of smear test examinations.

Kirsti Wycherley, died on 25 February 2016, aged 42, after a potentially delayed diagnosis of a cancerous tumour on her cervix, which was described as the size of a small orange. Her widower Adam Wycherley, 43, from Shrewton, Salisbury, wants to raise awareness on how screening can save lives. 

Before Kirsti’s death, she instructed specialist medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate concerns about delays to her diagnosis. 

The UK’s only dedicated cervical cancer charity, Jo’s Trust, is raising awareness of cervical cancer screening during their Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (22-28 January) with their #SmearForSmear campaign. 

Everyday nine women in the UK are diagnosed with cervical cancer; yet one in four fail to attend the potentially life-saving screening test. 

Kirsti attended a routine smear on 24 March 2010 which showed abnormal results. She was referred to the Salisbury Colposcopy Clinic and on 30 April, she underwent a cervix biopsy which proved abnormal. Kirsti, who worked as a Parent Support Advisor, was invited for a follow up smear appointment in October 2010, but did not recall receiving a letter about this appointment.  

In January 2011, Kirsti attended a smear examination which was found to be normal and was requested to attend a follow up appointment in 12 months’ time. Again, Kirsti didn’t recall receiving the appointment and was then discharged back to her GP for smear recall. 

Adam, who is a Health and Safety Inspector, said: “The past year has been tremendously difficult without Kirsti, but we have some comfort that she is no longer in pain.” 

Kirsti started to experience heavy bleeding at the end of November 2013 which continued throughout Christmas and into the New Year. 
When Kirsti reported this problem to her GP, she was prescribed tranexamic acid if she “wanted a pill to make it all go away.” She was prescribed this medication on a number of occasions.  

After reporting continued bleeding to her GP, she was eventually referred for an ultrasound which was very uncomfortable for Kirsti when pressure was applied to her cervix. The sonographer couldn’t establish a clear view, but didn’t say why. 

In late February 2014, notes on Kirsti’s medical record stated that doctors weren’t sure when her last smear was and found that she was very anaemic. 

To control the bleeding, Kirsti was referred by her GP to be fitted with the hormone coil, but the procedure was unsuccessful. 

After six months of heavy bleeding and numerous blood transfusions, Kirsti went for an ablation hysteroscopy procedure on 16 May 2014, during which a 4cm tumour was found on her cervix.

It wasn’t until June 2014, when Kirsti was being transferred in an ambulance from Salisbury to Southampton General Hospital; a paramedic informed her that she had been diagnosed with stage IV cervical cancer which had spread through the uterus wall into her bladder. 

Kirsti was advised to undergo an eight week course of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, but because of damage to her kidney caused by the spread of the tumour, Kirsti had to stop the treatment after just two weeks. 

Brachytherapy performed at Mount Vernon Norwood Hospital eradicated the tumour but left Kirsti in severe abdominal pain. In April 2015, dark patches were seen in x-rays of Kirsti’s lungs which were sadly found to be cancerous tumours.

In January 2016, Kirsti was admitted to Salisbury Hospice and died on 25 February 2016. 

Adam said: “I cannot begin to describe the distress and exhaustion that Kirsti went through, from first receiving abnormal smear results, then normal, to the daily bleeding, severe enough to cause anaemia, to finally being diagnosed. 

“Kirsti was very confused about when her smear appointments were which is why today, I am urging women over the age of 25 to make sure they attend their smear appointments and for transparency between patients and doctors as to when these are due.  

“It’s important that these issues are discussed in order to reduce the risk of others suffering in future.”

Rebecca Brown, an expert medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, who is investigating on the family’s behalf, said: 

Expert Opinion

“Both Kirsti and Adam were concerned about the amount of time it took to spot her cervical cancer which is why they have asked us to investigate the care she received.

“If caught early enough, cancer can be a treatable disease which is why it is vital that it is diagnosed as early as possible. Hopefully by speaking out about Kirsti’s tragic death, it will raise awareness of the importance of smear tests as too many people are being affected by cervical cancer.” Rebecca Brown - Senior Associate

Irwin Mitchell recently backed Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust’s Time To Test campaign which raises awareness of cervical cancer in the workplace and to ensure that female employees have the time to attend cervical screening if they’re unable to obtain an appointment outside of work hours.

If you or a loved one has suffered due to a delayed or misdiagnosed medical condition, our medical negligence solicitors could help you claim compensation. See our Medical Misdiagnosis Claims page for more information.