A MOTHER-OF-TWO felt “furious and anxious” when she discovered her cancer tests would need re-checking.

After being given the all- clear on a series of tests for breast cancer, bowel and stomach problems, Deborah Charles had an agonising wait before her tests were re-examined and she was told they were correct.

Her confidence in the health system has been shattered and she now insists on a second opinion whenever she or a member of her family have a medical examination.

Deborah, 44, of Mynydd Isa, Mold, a pharmaceutical sales rep, said: “I had a breast lumpectomy and the biopsy results, and on the other tests, had come back all-clear.”

By chance she heard a TV report about tissue test results having to be re-examined at the Wrexham Maelor Hospital and realised it might include her.

“I rang the emergency helpline, which was excellent, and within 48 hours was told my results had been handled by that particular pathologist and would need re-checking,” she said.

“When I found out the hospital knew about this in September and released the information to the public in the January I was absolutely furious. Why sit on that for four or five months? I wrote to the hospital but did not get a reply.

“I am a single parent and I tried to keep level-headed. I do a lot of driving in my job and I was stopping a lot and crying because I was so worried.

“I cannot remember how long it took to get the all-clear but I think it was up to a week. It was awful. I was very upset and extremely anxious.”

Just before Deborah had the bombshell of the tests to cope with, she had been in the Maelor Hospital for stomach problem tests. She was told by her surgeon the results were negative but Deborah was sure in her mind he was wrong. Later that day it was confirmed the results were positive.

“It’s all shaken my faith in the health system,” she said.

Although she has private health care through her work, her lumpectomy was done privately but the biopsy results were still handled through the NHS.

“I don’t have a lot of faith in doctors and hospitals and subsequently I ask for a second opinion for myself and any member of my family,” she said.

She is not taking legal action against the trust and says others must have been worse affected by the mistakes.