Filenews 21 February 2025 by Fanis Makrides
One doctor told her in March 2024 that she had cervicitis, and the other doctor two months later detected stage three advanced cancer.
As a result, the patient began treatment for cancer that spread to the bone and tragically passed away last January.
This is an allegation by the relatives of the 37-year-old deceased, which took the form of a formal complaint and was put before competent bodies. The 37-year-old had been visiting a well-known Cypriot gynaecologist at a medical centre for a year. According to the allegation/complaint of her relatives, although she complained of discomfort, the doctor in question reassured her.
He had diagnosed that there was an infection and cervicitis. Two months after the last examination, the woman wanted to get a second opinion. So, he arranged an appointment with another doctor of the specific specialty and there the data was overturned.
The latter, realizing that something was wrong, immediately referred her to specialized medical tests that showed that she had stage three cancer. Despite the treatments, it appears that the condition was not reversible due to a lack of early diagnosis. As a result, the 37-year-old died in her home country.
The content of the aforementioned complaint has already been forwarded to the Pancyprian Medical Association (PIS) by a lawyer, acting on behalf of the family. "F" reports that as soon as the incident is reported in the country where the patient died and relevant arrangements are made, then the case will also be reported to the ICF of Nicosia.
The complaint sent through a lawyer last Saturday to the PIS includes documents, medical certificates, as well as communication documents between the gynaecologist and the patient.
The introductory letter of a lawyer, who also acts on behalf of the minor daughter of the deceased, records the positions of her relatives on the events that they consider to have led to the death of the 37-year-old. Subsequently, it is requested that "the case be immediately investigated by the Pancyprian Medical Association, as if the above is proven, we consider that there was serious medical negligence, which led to a delayed medical examination and ultimately to the loss of the patient's life".
It added: "The family of the deceased considers that the acts and omissions of the gynaecologist in question may constitute criminal medical negligence and a violation of the patient's right to timely and proper medical care."
The letter to the PIS concludes as follows: "Please inform us immediately of the progress of this investigation (...)".
Regarding the family's version of the history of the case, lawyer Kassandra Koupari notes: "The deceased passed away at the age of 37, she was visiting the gynaecologist ... from 4 January 2023 until March 2024 inclusive (...). During her visits, that doctor diagnosed her with infection and then cervicitis, recommending medication without further tests.
Despite her constant symptoms, no more thorough screening was ever carried out (...) In May 2024 the patient visited a different gynaecologist for a second opinion. During the examination, a large open wound was found on the cervix, which in itself should have raised an immediate alarm for further investigation as early as 2023. The new gynaecologist ... immediately proceeded to a biopsy, which showed the existence of invasive squamous cell cancer of stage III cervical cancer, with metastases.
The patient was urgently referred to an oncologist (...) and began chemotherapy. However, late diagnosis had led to irreversible progression of the disease, resulting in the spread of bone metastases. Unfortunately, the ... She went to Bulgaria on 3/12/2024 in terrible pain and passed away just one month after completing chemotherapy on 8/1/2025, where doctors put her in an artificial coma."
A competent source from the PIS told "F" that if the content of the complaint is evaluated, it will be handled accordingly and forwarded to the competent bodies.
