Oct 4, 2007 8:49 am US/Eastern
Lab Error Led To Healthy Woman's Double Mastectomy
Labeling Mix Up At N.Y. Lab Being Blamed For Incident
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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A Long Island woman was misdiagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a double mastectomy. (File)
AP
Diagnosed with a highly aggressive form of breast cancer, 35-year-old Darrie Eason did all the right things:
"I had a second opinion, saw specialists, oncologists ... lots of tests, then had a radical double mastectomy," Eason said.
Two weeks later, her doctor called. He had discovered a horrible medical blunder.
"They told me, basically, you didn't have cancer, and never did," Eason said.
Watch CBS 2's Interview. Eason's tissue sample had been mislabeled by a CBLPath Medical lab technician, according to a state health department report, possibly due to cutting corners.
"When they said you don't have ... I just lost it, I broke down and cried," Eason said.
Thinking of the stress on her teenage son she is raising alone in Long Beach and the fact that she had to take months off from work, Eason sought support.
"A double mastectomy is a devastating thing for any woman," said Hillary Rutter of the Adelphi N.Y. Breast Cancer Hotline. "It has major psychological and physical effects."
Added Eason: "Something should have been done to tell me that there wasn't anything wrong with me, before I had a radical double mastectomy."
And the real cancer patient in Eason's lab mix up went undiagnosed for months.
"There are two victims here, two families suffering," Eason attorney Steven Pegalis said.
A state report blames the mix-up on a technician who admitted cutting corners while labeling tissue specimens.
According to an article on CBLPath's Web site, the lab considers itself "the second opinion choice of many physicians throughout the country" after stressing the importance of making sure that sample results are correct.
It goes on to add: "At CBLPath we understand the value of having a second opinion and that is why every cancerous diagnosis is reviewed by at least two expert pathologists before being sent to your doctor."
CBLPath chief executive William Curtis said he was familiar with Eason's case but could not speak about any of his company's patients because of federal privacy laws. He said the doctor who signed off on Eason's diagnosis, no longer works for the company.
The technician responsible for the mix-up, also is no longer with the company.
CBS 2's Dr. Holly Phillips says some medical centers are now leaning toward computer-based systems to minimize human errors, but those too can fail.
Dr. Phillips adds there are important steps you can take to protect yourself.
Before acting on pathology or radiology results, ask for a second opinion. Alert your doctors to every medication you're taking and any allergies you may have. Also, before you have surgery or undergo any tests, make sure you, your doctor, and your surgeon all are clear on exactly what will be done and why.
Most importantly, be active in your health care by speaking to every member of your health care team.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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