Cancer missed by doctors as patient told: "Don’t swing your golf club so far" (From Sutton Guardian)

Cancer missed by doctors as Wallington grandmother Eileen Vahey told: "Don’t swing your golf club so far"

10:00am Friday 8th February 2013 in News By Sophia Sleigh, Reporter

A grandmother-of-11 has complained about a diagnosis from doctors who said she had pain from swinging a golf club when really she was suffering from lung cancer.

Eileen Vahey, 68, from Wallington, has stage four lung cancer, which has spread to her brain, and is now being treated by the Royal Marsden Cancer Hospital in Sutton.

Despite multiple appointments with different GPs at Wallington Family Practice based in the Jubilee Health Centre from October 17 last year she did not have a chest x-ray until November 15 and was finally diagnosed with lung cancer in January 18 at St Helier Hospital.

In the meantime she said she displayed a range of symptoms including prolonged coughing, pain under her shoulder and breathing difficulties.

She said one GP told her that the pain could be due to swinging her golf club too high and "wear and tear."

She said: "I should have been referred for a chest x-ray on my second visit when the GP could see how distressed I was.

"It’s in my mind now. I could be six weeks further down the line than I am now.

"[One doctor] said ‘What do you think at your age? Don’t swing your golf club so far.’ I was flabbergasted - I don’t even play golf.

"I have sat in the doctors and cried because I’m in so much pain. They didn’t take any action. When they tell you ‘You have stage four cancer’ it’s a terrible shock."

Mrs Vahey, has also approached Tom Brake, the MP for Carshalton and Wallington, who said: "I was really sorry to learn of the apparent initial failure to diagnose Mrs Vahey's serious medical condition. 

"This has clearly been very distressing for her and her family. I will do all I can to ensure she receives the help she needs and that the right lessons are learnt."

A spokesperson for Wallington Family Practice said:  "We are very sorry that Mrs Vahey is unhappy with the care she has received from the practice.

"We are unable to comment in detail on her care but we will be taking steps to contact Mrs Vahey so that we can meet and discuss the situation with her in person."