Ruth Morrissey continuing action against HSE, two US labs over alleged smears misreading
SC, for Ms Morrissey, what would have been the likely findings of a colposcopy in 2009, Prof Shepherd said, as a cancer was detected in Ms Morrissey in 2014, the balance of probabilities was there would have been a pre-cancerous lesion there.
The consultant gynaecological oncologist, who has reviewed Ms Morrissey’s case and scans she had earlier this year, said, had she been referred for a colposcopy, biopsy specimens would have been taken and, on the balance of probabilities, that would have shown some degree of abnormality.He thought, on the balance of probabilities, there would be a five per cent chance of a recurrence and a one per cent chance of invasive cancer developing.
Cross examined by Patrick Hanratty SC, for the HSE, Prof Shepherd said Ms Morrissey’s recurring cancer was bigger than anyone realised.Early detection When he put to the witness the earliest a tumour could be detected was May 2017, Prof Shepherd said he believed the tumour could be detected in scan imaging in early 2016.Michael Cush SC suggested to Prof Shepherd that pre cancerous cells were not present in 2009, Prof Shepherd answered: “I believe you are wrong.”