Initial Diagnosis and Family Impact
When Mary Crowley was diagnosed with terminal cancer at the age of 67, her family made significant life changes to support her through what they believed to be her final months. In 2023, Mary and her husband David relocated from their cherished home in Tomintoul, Moray. Their son also moved his family from England to Scotland's central belt to be closer to them.
However, it was later revealed that Mary had been misdiagnosed. This revelation deeply affected David, who struggled to manage the complex emotions involved and tragically took his own life at 70 in early 2024.
Mary has since completed treatment for what was confirmed as stage one breast cancer and was declared cancer-free at her most recent appointment.
NHS Grampian has issued an apology for the "errors" and the "distress" caused by the misdiagnosis. Despite this, the family has expressed ongoing anger regarding the situation.
Complaint and Background
The case came to light after the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO) upheld a complaint from the family concerning the standard of care provided.
Mary and David had been together since their teenage years, marrying in 1978. They moved to Tomintoul in the 1980s, where David worked as a general practitioner and Mary served as the practice manager.
Diagnosis and Life Changes
Mary noticed a dimple in her breast in early 2023. A biopsy confirmed cancer, and an MRI scan indicated stage four metastatic breast cancer.
"We were not expecting a late stage cancer diagnosis," daughter Lizzie, 46, told BBC Scotland News.
"There is always uncertainty in diagnosis, but this was conveyed as certainty.
"We automatically went into planning mode and made huge life-changing decisions."
Mary and David have two other children: Emily, 49, and Ed, 43.
"We sold the family home which they both loved," Lizzie said, referring to her parents' life in Tomintoul. "And my brother moved to Scotland from England."
"It was all done to look after my dad after, we assumed, our mum's demise."
Mary began treatment appropriate for advanced cancer, including teeth extractions. Meanwhile, David, a former GP, began to question the diagnosis.
"As a former GP, he initially trusted what he was being told," Lizzie said.
"However, he became increasingly concerned and ultimately pushed very hard for independent second opinions when these were not being secured locally."
Revised Diagnosis and Its Effects
Eventually, it was confirmed that Mary had stage one breast cancer, not stage four.
"One of the questions that still troubles me is what would have happened if my dad had not had the medical knowledge, confidence and determination to challenge the diagnosis," Lizzie reflected.
"My dad was so stressed by all of that. I don't think he believed that it was not true.
"It broke him, having to fight what he thought were trusted colleagues within the medical profession.
"My dad was diagnosed with acute adjustment disorder. While I fully recognise there is never a single cause, I have no doubt the cumulative impact of believing his wife had terminal cancer, uprooting their lives, battling for second opinions, and then struggling through a complaints process contributed significantly to his decline."
David took his own life in February 2024.
"The causes of suicide are complex, but this was just seismic in terms of the disruption," Lizzie said of the events leading up to his death.
Mary’s Perspective and Family Reflections
Mary, who recently turned 70, shared her thoughts on the tragic events.
"It is hard to have to go over all these tragic circumstances again but we as a family hope that doing so might make clinicians more thoughtful about diagnosis and being more approachable when things have gone wrong.
"We made decisions because of my diagnosis of stage four cancer that we would not have done otherwise."
"My lovely husband took his own life, I believe, due to the stress of my cancer and all the upheaval of moving, and at the same time trying to get Aberdeen Royal Infirmary to downgrade my cancer staging.
"As there is a history of early dementia in his family background, he thought this was happening to him and that he would become a burden to all of us."
Lizzie described her mother as an "incredibly resilient" individual who volunteers at the Red Cross and attends the gym.
"She has lost the other half of her," Lizzie said.
"She is absolutely devastated by it but is a very strong woman, and is making the best of life.
"There is a huge amount of anger. We do not want this to happen to another family.
"I am disgusted by the way my parents were treated."
Official Findings and NHS Response
The SPSO ruling confirmed that after consulting with a consultant, the family understood that metastatic stage four cancer had been diagnosed. The report noted that the family made "significant life-changing decisions based on this understanding."
The SPSO also stated that a subsequent MRI scan showed no convincing evidence of metastatic disease.
Dr Rafael Moleron, cancer lead clinician at NHS Grampian, commented:
"We completely accept the decision of the SPSO in this case.
"It is clear we did not provide Mrs Crowley with the care she expected or which we aspire to. We apologise unreservedly for our errors and the distress they caused."
He added that "decisive action" has been taken to improve how clinical information is shared and recorded to ensure that uncertainty and differing opinions are clearly documented.
"We are also enhancing communication with patients, so they are fully informed about their care and ensuring access to independent second opinions where concerns remain," he said.
"These actions are focused on improving transparency, supporting better clinical decision making, and delivering the highest standards of patient care."
Support Information
If you have been affected by feelings of suicide or despair, you can contact the BBC's Action Line for support.
