Cyberattack Disrupts Surgery for Cancer Patient

A ransomware attack on pathology provider Synnovis has severely impacted London's hospitals, with around 1,500 medical procedures canceled in the four weeks following the attack. One of the most affected individuals was Johanna Groothuizen, who was forced to undergo a simple mastectomy instead of her planned skin-sparing mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction due to delays caused by the attack. Diagnosed with aggressive HER2-positive breast cancer, Hanna had to make a difficult last-minute decision to proceed with a less extensive surgery or risk further delay until the affected systems were back online. Despite the rushed situation and the emotional toll, Hanna did not hold ill will towards the NHS staff, praising their care despite the disruptions. The attack has raised concerns about the resilience of the UK's public sector infrastructure, with cybersecurity vulnerabilities being highlighted. While some hospital services have returned to normal, pathology services remain significantly impacted. Hanna is now recovering and continues her cancer treatment, with potential breast reconstruction a future possibility. The NHS has expressed regret for the distress caused by the cyberattack, which also led to a significant number of postponed procedures.

Jones, C. (2024, July 5). Cancer patient forced to make terrible decision after Qilin attack on London hospitals. The Register. https://www.theregister.com/2024/07/05/qilin_impacts_patient/?utm_source=daily&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_content=top-article