Because I just did not want to die
Court told how mum had unnecessary procedure because doc said scan showed pre-cancerous cells .. when it was all clear
A MUM twice operated on by a doctor accused of doing unnecessary surgery told a court yesterday: “I didn’t want to die.”
Leanne Joseph, 36, said Scots surgeon Ian Paterson told her a scan on her left breast showed pre-cancer cells.
After she had the milk ducts removed, she said, he told her there was a chance of the same condition in the other breast.
She then went ahead with the same operation on the right side.
The prosecution have told the jury at Nottingham Crown Court that the initial scan was clear.
Asked by prosecution QC Julian Christopher why she decided to have the first £1500 op, Leanne said: “Because it was pre-cancerous and I just did not want to die.”
Leanne was 25 and just married to husband Mark when she first consulted Paterson privately at Little Aston Hospital in Birmingham.
She has already told the court of her heartbreak at not being able to breastfeed.
Yesterday, she said as she was recovering from her operation, Paterson, 59, made inappropriate jokes.
During an appointment to check on progress, the surgeon spoke of the need to moisturise the area to aid recovery. She said: “Mr Paterson made a very inappropriate remark saying it’s something my husband could join in with.”
Paterson, who also worked for the NHS and was suspended in 2011, denies 20 counts of wounding with intent against nine women and one man.
They all relate to allegedly unnecessary procedures between 1997 and 2011.
The trial continues.