Husband Left With Reduced Life Expectancy Instructs Medical Negligence Lawyers To Investigate Care

A man left with a reduced life expectancy following an admitted near two-year prostate cancer diagnosis delay is calling for lessons to be learned. 

John Mason was referred by a GP to the urology department at Queen’s Hospital in Burton-upon-Trent with a significant increase of the protein prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in his blood – a possible sign of the disease. John had also experienced blood in his semen, another symptom of prostate cancer. 

John told by doctors there was nothing suspicious

However, following an examination, John, who had previously been diagnosed with an enlarged prostate, was told there was not anything suspicious. 

John, of Rugeley, Staffordshire, continued to have a raised PSA level for more than a year. Around 20 months after being sent to Queen’s Hospital, he was referred again. 

Following tests, the dad-of-three and granddad-of-four was diagnosed with prostate cancer. 

John, a former electrical engineer, underwent surgery. However, his cancer then returned, and had spread to his spine and ribs.

Medical negligence lawyer secure answers for Staffordshire man diagnosed with prostate cancer

John, aged 78, has been diagnosed with a reduced life expectancy. He instructed expert medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate his care under University Hospitals Of Derby And Burton NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Queen’s Hospital, and help him access the specialist support he requires.

John has now spoken for the first time about the impact the cancer has had on his life. He has also joined his legal team in supporting Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and raising awareness of the signs of the disease – the most common cancer in men. 

It comes after the Hospital Trust admitted a breach of duty and apologised for errors in John’s care.

Expert Opinion

“John and his family have faced an incredibly difficult few years, trying to come to terms with his diagnosis and also what the future may hold.

“Understandably John had a number of concerns about whether more should have been done to diagnose his cancer sooner.

“The Hospital Trust has admitted worrying errors in John’s care which have had a devastating impact on his life.

“Sadly, 12,000 men in the UK die of prostate cancer each year, therefore, it’s vital that lessons are learned from the issues identified in John’s case to improve patient care for others.

“It’s also vital that men concerned they may have cancer seek medical advice at the earliest opportunity. Early detection and treatment are key to beating it.” Sophie Smethurst

Prostate cancer: John Mason's story

John, who is married to wife, Lynne, aged 75, visited his GP in September 2013 concerned he had blood in his semen. In early 2014 he was diagnosed with an enlarged and irregular prostate. Biopsies were clear of cancer but revealed the presence of high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN), an indication that he was at risk of prostate cancer being present on a repeat biopsy in future. 

John continued to have regular PSA tests. In May 2016 he was referred to Queen’s Hospital again by a GP. Following an examination, but no biopsy, at hospital in July 2016 he was told his symptoms were not suspicious. 

In March 2018 John was referred to the urology department again, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, and underwent surgery. 

In 2019 John’s PSA levels started increasing again – which can indicate a post-surgery recurrence of prostate cancer.

He was told his cancer had returned and John underwent radiotherapy on his prostate between August and October 2019. However, following a series of tests, he was told in 2020 that the cancer had spread. 

He was told that radiotherapy would not be able to treat the cancer that had spread. He now requires hormone injections for life to try and limit the cancer’s growth.

University Hospitals Of Derby And Burton NHS Foundation Trust admit care issues 

Following legal submissions by Irwin Mitchell, the Hospital Trust admitted that a biopsy should have been arranged when John was referred to hospital in July 2016.
 
A repeat biopsy would have detected prostate cancer, John would not have had to undergo radiotherapy and the cancer would not have spread, the Trust admitted.

John reveals impact prostate cancer has had on his life as he supports awareness campaign

John said: “It’s incredibly difficult to find the words to describe what the last few years have been like. 

“Life is totally different following my diagnosis and I’m unable to do a lot of things people take for granted. While I’d retired, I was still active and have never been one to sit around idly. Me and Lynne were an equal partnership but now I’m a lot more reliant on her as I can get fatigued very easily.  

“We used to go on holiday, long walks and bike rides together but that’s all changed. I live with bowel and bladder problems so can’t be too far away from a toilet. If I do leave the house I have to forward plan meticulously to ensure I’m never far away from a toilet.  

“While I try and remain as positive as I can, I get angry at what I’ve had to go through, especially as my cancer could have been diagnosed sooner and because of my prognosis. 

“While it’s too late for me I just hope that by speaking out I can help raise awareness of what I’ve had to face to help others. There can sometimes be a stigma around men’s health and seeking medical advice. I would urge anyone concerned they may have prostate cancer to seek medical advice as soon as they can and to advocate for themselves if something does not feel right. It could make all the different to them.”

Prostate Cancer Month runs throughout March. More information can be found on the website of the male cancer charity Orchid. 

Find out more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in supporting people and families affected by cancer care issues at our dedicated cancer claims section. Alternatively, to speak to an expert contact us or call 0370 1500 100.