Erica Hay, a nurse with over 30 years of service for the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK, based in Balby, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, experienced this ordeal in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic. Following the unwarranted surgery, Ms. Hay has endured numerous complications. She is now considering early retirement due to health issues, as reported by BBC on 14/11. She has also initiated legal proceedings against the hospital for "medical negligence" through her representatives, Medical Solicitors law firm.

The hospital issued an apology, acknowledging the "distress" Ms. Hay endured and partially attributing the situation to the "exceptional challenges" of the Covid-19 pandemic. The lawsuit was subsequently resolved through a settlement, though the hospital did not admit legal liability, according to a spokesperson for the law firm.

In 7/2020, Ms. Hay visited Doncaster Royal Infirmary complaining of shoulder and chest pain. After a series of tests, doctors delivered a shocking diagnosis: she was "99,9% certain" to have lung cancer. Due to strict Covid-19 pandemic restrictions at the time, the hospital could not perform a biopsy, which is the final diagnostic step, and opted for immediate surgery instead.

"You hear the word 'cancer' and automatically think you're going to die", Ms. Hay recounted.

Ms. Hay had a portion of her lung removed due to a misdiagnosis of cancer. *Doncaster Free Press*

Eight weeks after the diagnosis, she underwent major surgery to remove the lower lobe of her right lung. Two weeks post-operation, Ms. Hay returned for a follow-up appointment where her doctor informed her: "You are among the 1% who do not have cancer; it was likely just an infection". The mass that doctors were "99,9% certain" was malignant turned out to be merely the result of pneumonia, according to the local newspaper, *Doncaster Free Press*.

"I was as shocked to learn I didn't have cancer as I was when they told me I did", Ms. Hay stated. "Ultimately, an infection could have been treated with medication, without surgery".

While fortunate not to have cancer, she has paid a heavy price. The unnecessary surgery left Ms. Hay with severe respiratory complications, causing her 30-year asthma to worsen "unbelievably".

"Simply talking or walking into the kitchen can leave me breathless", she said. "I am grateful it wasn't cancer, but I've been through so much, and this situation will probably never improve".

By Binh Minh (According to *Doncaster Free Press*, BBC, *People*)