Queensland, Australia – 28th October, 2018: Stacey Ferguson initially booked an appointment with a GP in 2010 because she was concerned about a scab on her forehead.The 36-year-old said a biopsy uncovered a common basal cell carcinoma skin cancer and it was removed.
"I went back for the results and he told me that he wasn't too concerned, that he thinks he had the margins and that I may have to have it cut out again," she said.
After multiple visits to the same clinic over five years, and a second excision of the area, Ms Ferguson said she went to a different doctor who immediately referred her to specialists.
"I had to go back in and have my right eye and quite a large part of my face removed, replaced with muscle out of my back and more skin grafts," she said.
Ms Ferguson has lodged in the Supreme Court in Brisbane a claim against four doctors and her former clinic for alleged medical negligence.
She said the doctors failed to cut out the cancer properly, did not appreciate the findings of the reports and did not refer her to a specialist in a "timely manner".
The claim, for an unspecified amount, covers ongoing pain and suffering, financial and medical expenses.
"We used to take the kids and do a lot of things … now I find a lot of people stare and point so that stops me from doing a lot of things," Ms Ferguson said.
"I don't have a lot of confidence, I'm constantly worried that it is going to come back.
"But I'm still alive, I'm still here, that's what I keep telling myself."
Lawyer Margaret Brain from Maurice Blackburn, who is acting on Ms Ferguson's behalf, said it was one of a handful of recent cases in Queensland where clients were pursuing similar legal action.
"We're seeing a trend where they are being either not treated correctly or not being diagnosed and treated quickly enough," she said.
"I have seen cases with melanoma being missed … but this is quite a new thing in my experience, people with these very common cancers who are ending up with quite devastating outcomes."
Dean Booth is also seeking advice from lawyers over a potentially deadly melanoma that was allegedly missed during a skin check up in Cairns.
"I showed him exactly where it was, I explained to him that I think it might be getting bigger, he looked at it and pretty much went, 'nah, all good'," Mr Booth said.
"Probably four months later, I started feeling a tingle around that area and that definitely made me a little concerned.
Mr Booth was diagnosed with a melanoma and the cancer has now spread.
"I was a bit in shock … I was quite angry and upset," he said.
"My life has been turned upside down basically."
Mr Booth wants to spread awareness of the need to get regular skin checks and seek a second opinion if required.
"If you are unsure by what the doctor has told you, ask for a referral. Take photos of any freckles or moles that you are unsure of," he said.
Source: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-28/skin-cancer-patient-sues-doctors-for-medical-negligence/10427824