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21/04/2005
Study reveals growing number of fake breast cancer cases
A growing number of women are inventing family histories of breast cancer in order to receive treatment, a medical study has revealed.
The study examined one case in which a woman underwent a double preventative mastectomy after falsely claiming that three of her four sisters had been diagnosed with the disease.
The study also discovered that at least one per cent of breast cancer cases are false, and the women involved are most likely to have a psychological disorder similar to Munchausen’s Syndrome.
Some of these patients have undergone surgery to remove their breasts, after which doctors have found no real risk of developing the disease.
A consultant in medical genetics at St Mary’s hospital in Manchester, Professor Gareth Evans, said even though the women should no longer be getting surgery in that situation it is unfortunate that it is still happening.
The majority of women discovered to be faking their family histories refused counselling or psychiatric support.
(CD/GB)
The study examined one case in which a woman underwent a double preventative mastectomy after falsely claiming that three of her four sisters had been diagnosed with the disease.
The study also discovered that at least one per cent of breast cancer cases are false, and the women involved are most likely to have a psychological disorder similar to Munchausen’s Syndrome.
Some of these patients have undergone surgery to remove their breasts, after which doctors have found no real risk of developing the disease.
A consultant in medical genetics at St Mary’s hospital in Manchester, Professor Gareth Evans, said even though the women should no longer be getting surgery in that situation it is unfortunate that it is still happening.
The majority of women discovered to be faking their family histories refused counselling or psychiatric support.
(CD/GB)
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