A 33-year-old breast cancer patient has been refused reconstructive surgery on the NHS because health bosses dismissed it as ‘cosmetic surgery’.

The Daily Mail reports that mother-of-four Patsy Parsons underwent surgery to remove a large part of her left breast and 16 lymph nodes after she was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago, just after giving birth to her youngest son.

Mrs Parsons was then referred for bilateral breast augmentation the University of North Staffordshire Hospital, but NHS Stoke-on-Trent cancelled the operation ‘at the last minute’.

Mrs Parson’s family support worker then received a letter which said:

'I write to inform this request has been reconsidered and unfortunately declined on the grounds there do not appear to be any exceptional circumstances.

'If the patient wishes to appeal against this decision this can be done in accordance with the Individual Funding Requests Policy.'

The referral for the £5,000 private surgery was declined on a further three occasions, despite appeals backed by Mrs Parson’s GP, consultant and family support worker.

Mrs Parsons – who lives with her 35-year-old husband Robert and four children – said that she felt ‘completely let down and insulted’ by the NHS’s refusal to pay for the surgery.

‘Having this happen to me after cancer treatment is like rubbing salt in the wounds,’ said Mrs Parsons. 'I'm not some celebrity model wanting a boob job to get more pictures in a glossy magazine – I need this operation to help my self esteem.’

'The health officials probably looked at pictures of my breast at the PCT [primary care trust] when making the decision and think "oh that looks fine" – but it's not their body, it's mine. I don't feel fine. I don't feel like a woman as it is – I've got very short hair and I've had a hysterectomy, I feel like a freak as it is.’

Mrs Parsons said that some people were undergoing breast augmentation on the NHS because ‘they don't like the size of them and are depressed and are threatening to kill themselves’.

‘I've been through cancer and I should be given the help I need,’ she added. ‘My husband goes to work seven days a week – he's not in a well paid job and we have a big family, so what does he pay his taxes for? We've both worked all our lives. 

Mrs Parsons said that patients who had gone through breast cancer – and breast surgery as a result – should not have their reconstructive surgery classed as ‘cosmetic’

'Some PCTs are saying they do fund it and some are saying they don't,’ said Mrs Parsons. ‘It's not fair – it should be one rule for everyone across the country. It's like a postcode lottery.'

Dr Zafar Iqbal – Acting Director of Public Health NHS Stoke-on-Trent – said:

'The NHS is not in a position to meet all the demands placed upon it. Routine cosmetic surgery is considered a low priority treatment by the PCT and is only funded in exceptional circumstances.

'In order to protect confidentiality, the PCT cannot discuss the details of individual patients further. However the PCT is convening an urgent panel to consider clinical information it has received to see whether PCT criteria for treatment are met for this patient.'

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