A woman in the UK says she has been left devastated after an alleged mistake in reading medical scans meant her husband’s cancer was not diagnosed when it first appeared.
Mark Shaw, from Burslem, was 54 when he died from lung cancer in 2023, leaving behind his wife Lesley Shaw, their family, including a daughter and two grandchildren.
Lesley, 64, believes earlier detection could have given Mark more time, after clinicians later acknowledged a tumour should have been identified months before it was ultimately found.
“They told us it was as clear as day – if they caught it, he could still be here today,” his wife said.
In August 2021, Mark was taken to hospital after suffering a mini-stroke affecting his brainstem. He underwent a CT scan and an X-ray, and was treated for the stroke.
Seven months later, on March 22, a further scan indicated he had small-cell lung cancer.
Lesley said the family was then told that the earlier images from the previous summer appeared to show signs of cancer as well, but the abnormality was not flagged at the time.
“The doctor was really apologetic,” Lesley said.
“He showed us the two scans that were taken seven months apart, and you can see the cancer on both. It was a hell of a lot smaller in the first than it was in the second. The tumour went from the size of a pea to the size of a tomato in seven months.
“We would’ve been none the wiser if the doctor didn’t tell us initially, but once they pointed it out, it was as clear as day. He just said, ‘I’m really sorry, this should’ve been caught’.”
After the diagnosis, Mark, a former smoker, was told he might have around two years to live.
He underwent intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy in an effort to slow the disease, with the treatment leaving the former resin floor layer and plasterer severely weakened.
Lesley said that, even as his condition worsened, he tried to stay positive for his family.
“He never showed that the cancer bothered him, he always put a brave face on for me,” his wife said.
Mark died on March 30, roughly a year after being diagnosed.
The couple had been together for 25 years and had been preparing to mark their 21st wedding anniversary this year.
Both had been married before. Mark was a father to a 38-year-old daughter and a grandfather to two grandchildren, with another baby expected.
He also helped raise Lesley’s youngest son, who was six when they first met.
He died five days before his third grandchild was born, according to his family.
“The doctor said we could’ve contained it more if they caught it during the initial x-ray,” Lesley said.
“The outcome would have been the same, but he would have lived longer by around two to three years. If they did catch it, he could’ve still been here today. He would have met his grandchild.”
After Mark’s death, Lesley submitted a formal complaint to the hospital. She says that despite earlier apologies, she was later told staff were not responsible for what happened.
She maintains that identifying the cancer sooner would have given Mark additional time with his family, including the chance to meet his newest grandchild.
Royal Stoke chief medical officer Dr Diane Adamson said on behalf of the trust: “We offer our sincere sympathies to Mrs Shaw and her family and remain committed to learning and improving our processes to ensure safe, high‑quality care.”
Medical Negligence Assist provides legal information and support for people seeking advice after an alleged misdiagnosis.