Were Your Cervical Cancer Smears Misread?

Hundreds of women in Ireland have learned that the cervical cancer smear test results they received were not accurate. These victims learned that though they were given the all-clear, they actually had cancerous cells forming near the cervix. The smear tests for these women were processed and read by two American laboratories, Quest Diagnostics, and CPL – companies that missed cancer markers in the samples, leaving the cancer cells in unknowing women to grow for years, until a proper diagnosis was made, and treatment could be started.

A government audit in 2014 found that 209 women had been misdiagnosed as cancer-free but were later diagnosed with cervical cancer. Most were never informed about the error, and at least 18 of the women have died.

Smear Test Laboratories Facing Investigations

New Jersey-based Quest Diagnostics says it serves at least half of all hospitals and physicians in the United States. The company claims annual revenues of about $7.7 billion, and its services affect the lives of 30 percent of the adult population. Yet the company not only mishandled hundreds of smears, they allegedly made multiple errors.

Texas-based Clinical Pathology Laboratories (CPL) also processed smear tests for the Health Service of Ireland. The company is currently being investigated by The College of American Pathologists due to the misdiagnoses. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services may also be investigating the companies. When asked by media if the Ireland fiasco would lead to action in this country, the government agency refused to speculate on ongoing or forthcoming activities.

Women in Ireland who are now battling for their lives want women in the United States to be aware of the problem and speak to their physicians about their past smear test results before it may be too late.

Current Cervical Cancer Misdiagnosis Litigation

At least 60 lawsuits have been filed on behalf of the women and their families, including women who are terminally ill with the disease and the families of those who have died. One of the first women to fight for justice over the misdiagnosis said she was never told an error had been made. In fact, she didn’t find out until she read an audit included in her medical file after her cancer diagnosis. She learned then that she actually had cancer in 2011 even though her smear test showed her as cancer free. Hers was the first case to go to court and she reached a settlement with Health Service and CPL for $3 million.

Another of the victims was just awarded $8.76 million against Quest Diagnostics after being diagnosed with cancer in 2016. She hopes the award will allow her to seek help outside Ireland with her cancer battle and knows that if she had been properly diagnosed earlier, her cancer might not be terminal. As part of the settlement, Quest admitted liability for misreading the tests and Health Services admitted they failed to disclose the audit results after they discovered the errors.

The women involved in these cases are urging all women to investigate their smear test results from 2010 onwards.

Do you Trust Your Smear Results?

If you or a woman you love suffered from cervical cancer after receiving cancer-free smear test results, you may be entitled to seek justice and significant compensation for your injuries and the losses you have incurred. Victims of the CPL and Quest Diagnostics laboratory errors are fighting for their lives against cervical cancer and would have a better chance of winning if they would have been properly diagnosed initially. These women and their families should not have to suffer because of the failures of Quest and CPL, but they are. Are you?

If you or your loved one was diagnosed with cervical cancer after your smear test results showed you did not have cancer, contact us today. We have been fighting for the rights of patients for decades, and we stand ready to fight for the victims of Quest and CPL laboratory errors now. Contact us today to learn more about your rights, and whether you are entitled to justice and compensation for your cervical cancer misdiagnosis.