Four years ago, former Royal Army guardsman John Ford had his stomach removed after being misdiagnosed with stomach cancer. It was only after the operation that it was revealed the pathologist at Walsall Manor Hospital had misdiagnosed the tests; Ford’s tumor was actually benign.

“I now have no stomach and am in constant pain and discomfort,” said Ford. “I am either constipated or have diarrhea and am afraid to leave the house in case I need a bathroom. I do not absorb food, so I have very little energy and find everyday tasks hard work.”

Ford and his wife, Joan, were awarded an undisclosed six-figure compensation payout when Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust accepted liability for the mistake, but it’s been of little comfort to the couple.

“My wife and I had recently retired and we were looking forward to spending quality time together traveling,” Ford said. “However, the operation has seriously limited what I can do. We have no social life any more, and fear all our retirement plans have completely gone out the window.”

“I wish with all my heart that on the morning of his operation John had walked out, which he wanted to do,” Joan added.

Unfortunately, Ford is not alone in his personal tragedy. According to Gary Null, PhD., in his book “Death by Medicine,” it is estimated that 7.5 million unnecessary medical and surgical procedures are performed annually.

“The number of misdiagnosed and mistreated cancer cases is far larger than most people suspect,” said Mike Adams, a consumer health advocate and critic of the for-profit cancer industry. “Very few cancer mistakes ever come to light. Most victims just live out their lives without their stomach, colon or breasts, believing their cancer surgeries were justified when, in fact, they were not.”

Adams recommends that patients get a second or third opinion on any cancer diagnosis before submitting to radical treatments that cause permanent damage such as surgery, chemotherapy or radiation.

Source: News Target 

Yesterday, we posted a news about the doubt that Fidel Castro must be having stomach cancer.

FIDEL Castro was recuperating well after surgery and does not have cancer, according to Carlos Lage, the Cuban vice-president, in the government’s most detailed comments on his condition since the president was forced to temporarily hand over power to his brother.

Havana has provided no details and released no pictures of the Cuban president - fuelling speculation around the world about his condition.

On Monday, it was announced that Mr Castro, who will be 80 on Saturday, had undergone surgery for intestinal bleeding. He temporarily handed over power to his brother Raul, the defence minister, who has not been seen in public since.

Cubans were told on Tuesday in a statement attributed to the president that most details of his health would be kept “a state secret” to prevent the island’s enemies from taking advantage of his condition.

“He is coming along well. He does not have stomach cancer,” Mr Lage said.

“He has been made well by the operation and is recuperating favourably.”

Meanwhile, Elian Gonzalez, the Cuban boy at the centre of an international custody battle with family members in Miami six years ago, joined the list of people wishing Mr Castro a swift recovery.

“We send you this letter to let you know that we are worried about your health,” Elian, now 12, wrote in a letter signed with “little kisses” from him and his half-siblings and cousins.

Cuban military reservists are under orders to report every day at military posts amid heightened security.

Dissidents said the military was telling people in eastern provinces that they could use force against those criticising the government.