Health

Lack of information on cancer risk factor led to case against HSE

Patient advocate is campaigning for breast density to be highlighted as significant issue in screening

Breast cancer survivor Siobhan Freeney, who is campaigning for breast density to be highlighted as a significant risk factor in screening. Picture: Fergal Phillips

Better communication from the HSE about the risks of breast density and the limitations of cancer screening could have avoided the need for litigation, according to a patient who took one of the only cases against Ireland’s cancer screening programmes that has gone to a full judgment.

Siobhan Freeney was diagnosed with lobular breast cancer in 2015 despite a BreastCheck mammogram not identifying any sign of cancer earlier that year. She lost her case against ...