Breast Cancer Survivor Debbie Douglas Reveals Trauma in New Memoir

Douglas's book "The Cost of Trust" details her experience with disgraced surgeon Ian Paterson and calls for systemic change in UK healthcare.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Debbie Douglas, a breast cancer survivor, has published a new memoir titled "The Cost of Trust" that details her harrowing experience with disgraced surgeon Ian Paterson. Paterson subjected hundreds of patients to unnecessary surgeries, causing immense physical and emotional harm. Douglas's book not only recounts her personal trauma, but also shines a light on the systemic failures within both the National Health Service (NHS) and private healthcare in the United Kingdom that allowed Paterson's malpractice to continue for years.

Why it matters

The Paterson scandal exposed deep flaws in the UK's healthcare system, including a lack of oversight and accountability that enabled a rogue surgeon to cause harm to countless patients. Douglas's memoir and advocacy work are bringing renewed attention to this issue and pushing for systemic changes to prioritize patient safety and rebuild trust in the medical profession.

The details

In 2003, Douglas was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a mastectomy, lymph node removal, and seven months of chemotherapy under Paterson's care. Years later, she discovered that these procedures were entirely unnecessary, as she only required the removal of a lump less than 2 cm in size. This revelation, and the realization that she was one of potentially hundreds of victims, fueled Douglas's determination to seek justice and expose the truth.

  • In 2003, Douglas was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent treatment under Paterson's care.
  • Years later, Douglas discovered that the procedures she underwent were unnecessary.
  • In 2017, Paterson was jailed for 20 years on 17 counts of wounding with intent.
  • In 2020, an inquiry revealed that the true number of Paterson's victims could be in the 'hundreds'.
  • Paterson is scheduled for release halfway through his sentence in May 2027.

The players

Debbie Douglas

A breast cancer survivor and author of the memoir "The Cost of Trust", which details her experience with disgraced surgeon Ian Paterson.

Ian Paterson

A breast surgeon who subjected hundreds of patients to unnecessary surgeries, causing immense physical and emotional harm. Paterson was jailed in 2017 for 20 years on 17 counts of wounding with intent.

National Health Service (NHS)

The publicly funded healthcare system in the United Kingdom that failed to properly oversee Paterson's practices, allowing him to continue his malpractice for years.

Spire Little Aston hospital

A private hospital where Paterson also performed unnecessary surgeries on patients, contributing to the scale of his malpractice.

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What they’re saying

“I thought I was being dealt with by the best consultant in the private healthcare system. It was much later down the line that things started to unravel and I had to piece together not only what happened to myself but what happened as a whole.”

— Debbie Douglas (The Cost of Trust)

What’s next

An inquest is set to open to examine the deaths of patients treated by Ian Paterson, and the prospect of his release in 2027 continues to cause distress to his victims.

The takeaway

The Paterson scandal highlights the critical need for robust oversight, accountability, and a healthcare system built on trust and patient safety. Debbie Douglas's memoir and advocacy work are pushing for systemic changes to prevent such egregious failures from happening again.