A number of women who had their breasts unnecessarily removed while undergoing treatment for cancer have spoken to the BBC about their experiences.
County Durham and Darlington Foundation Trust (CDDFT) told the BBC that 20 women underwent mastectomies that could have been avoided.
They were among hundreds of patients who came to harm during treatment at the breast unit of NHS trust in north-east England.
The admission came in the wake of revelations about serious failures in the unit, as reported by the BBC last year.
Steve Russell, who has recently taken over as CDDFT’s chief executive, said he apologised “unreservedly” for the harm the trust caused.
