Doctor's concerns over Walsall Manor Hospital cancer test results
A retired doctor says he thought he had cancer after tests done by Walsall Manor Hospital - and now he is is considering legal action.
Dr Safa Shaya's results said he had higher than normal levels of a protein in his prostate.
Another test was ordered as doctors were concerned - and Dr Shaya knew it meant there was a higher risk of him having cancer.
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However the second exam revealed his levels were much lower.
Dr Shaya had the original PSA - prostate-specific antigen - test on April 1 and was told his PSA level was 10 nanograms per millilitre - more than twice what is considered the normal level of between 2 and 4ng/mL.
The 64-year-old from Persehouse Street in Walsall, said: "I was scared. You can imagine how I felt, like any person would.
"It is not so much about the test itself, it is what could come after it.
"I thought if this is cancer what action is going to be taken.
"Will it be a radical removing of my prostate or would I be given chemotherapy, radiotherapy?
"It could be ongoing. I was very, very worried. Any person would be in that situation."
Concerned about the results consultants at the hospital ordered a retest and thankfully the new results showed Mr Shaya's PSA level was actually around 2mg/ml.
But the Dudley Council worker, who used to be a biochemist at Walsall Manor, is angered.
"This matter should be investigated immediately as it is dealing with people's lives."
Mr Shaya has formally complained to Walsall Manor Hospital and said he would seek legal action if he was not compensated for the stress caused.
Richard Kirby, Chief Executive of Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, said: "I can confirm that we have received Dr Shaya's letter and that the concerns he has raised are being fully investigated in line with the Trust's Complaints and Concerns Policy.
"On behalf of the Trust, I apologise for any distress this matter may have caused him.
"We welcome patients' complaints and concerns and take them extremely seriously as these help us to improve our healthcare services and our patient experience."
Mr Amir Khan, the Trust's Medical Director, said: "It is important that men are aware that a Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test is not a screening test for prostate cancer because many false positives and negatives can occur.
"There are many reasons why the level of PSA in the blood can increase including injury, exercise and ageing.
"Therefore, a diganosis of prostate cancer cannot be based on PSA testing alone and must be used with other clinical tests to rule out or confirm the presence of cancer.
"All our PSA testing is carried out by dedicated professionals in the Blood Sciences Department at Walsall Manor Hospital. It is not contracted out to any external provider.
"Our service has very rigorous Internal Quality Control and in addition holds Clinical Pathology Accreditation, which means it has been assessed by an external organisation to international quality standards."
