Twenty women had unnecessary breast removals, known as mastectomies, while being treated for cancer at the County Durham and Darlington foundation trust (CDDFT). The trust admitted to the BBC that these women were among hundreds of patients who suffered harm during treatment at its breast unit. This admission followed a BBC report from last year that revealed more than 200 patients had been harmed during their care at the trust. The National Crime Agency is now working with Durham police to investigate allegations from former patients and determine if any criminal offenses occurred. Steve Russell, who became chief executive of CDDFT last year, expressed regret for the harm caused to patients and acknowledged that the trust should have listened more carefully and acted sooner. He stated that significant changes have been made to the breast service and that the trust is continuing a "look-back" review to identify patients who may have experienced harm and ensure they receive appropriate information and support. The trust board will meet publicly on September 24 to consider the future scope and timeframe of the look-back, but no final decision has been made. The trust is conducting an internal review of breast cancer cases between January 2023 and February 2025, as well as 640 former patients who contacted a special helpline. According to the BBC, of 514 cases reviewed so far, 315 patients have been found to have suffered harm, including 77 who were significantly harmed. One patient is known to have died. Russell stated that in some cases, cancer was missed and then subsequently spread. One woman, referred to as Jo, who had an unnecessary mastectomy, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that further screening and biopsies could have shown the cancer was very small and that a mastectomy was not necessary. She described the experience as devastating and said the loss of her breast made her feel like she was no longer her whole self. Denise Howarth, 51, of Consett, County Durham, was diagnosed with stage one cancer in her left breast in February 2023. She had a lumpectomy and lymph nodes removed, but was later told she needed a mastectomy. Howarth underwent the mastectomy, followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy. In September last year, she was contacted by CDDFT and told the mastectomy had not been needed. She described the news as shocking and said it knocked her off her feet, especially after a difficult year marked by the loss of two close relatives and her father's poor health. Howarth said an apology from the trust was not enough and that the experience has left her feeling robbed of the person she was before. As a woman, she said losing a breast has had a huge impact on her and that she fears she will never be the same person again. Rachel O’Connor, part of the medical negligence team at Hudgell Solicitors, is calling for a public inquiry, stating that the trust has had deep-rooted, systematic failures that have led to women suffering serious harm.