Nine women sue over breast removals

ST. JOHN'S, Newfoundland, Feb. 22 (UPI) -- Nine Canadian women are suing a regional health authority in Newfoundland because their breasts were removed based on flawed cancer tests.

Lawyer Ches Crosbie is representing the women against Eastern Health, which oversaw the inaccurate testing and ensuing mastectomies as far back as 1999, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported Wednesday.

Myrtle Lewis of Roddickton, who underwent a double mastectomy, told the broadcaster her doctor tried to break the news to her gently.

"The good news, he said, is you're not going to die of breast cancer because you didn't have it," Lewis said.

Crosbie didn't release the amount of damages he's seeking from the authority. Two years ago, he led a class-action suit for women who were given inaccurate hormone-testing results, which resulted in a $17.5 million settlement.

Eastern Health said it will not share its breast tissue samples in the current suit, but will allow an independent pathologist to examine them.

Eastern Health Chief Executive Officer Vickie Kaminski told the CBC she wants to see the nine women accommodated.

"Something happened to them that should not have happened," she said.