A DOCTOR told a 60-year-old woman with a lump in her neck she had flu rather than cancer.

Despite being visited by his patient six times, Dr Meda Dasanna Easwar, a GP at Mayfair Medical Centre, Normanhurst Avenue, Bexleyheath, failed to recognise the killer disease.

The married woman, who also reported weight loss of a stone-and-a-half in six months, hoarseness and a chesty cough, was finally referred for urgent specialist care at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich, after been seen by a locum on December 23, 2003.

She was diagnosed with an inoperable, advanced cancer and died on February 15, 2004.

Dr Easwar, who has more than 40 years of medical experience, appeared before a General Medical Council (GMC) disciplinary committee last week.

The committee found the doctor had not kept adequate patient records on three occasions and discovered five illegible records.

It also found Dr Easwar had not made adequate examinations on his patient, known as Mrs A, on six occasions between October 3 and December 17, 2003.

Speaking at the hearing on October 12, committee chairman Dr Jeffrey Jay said: "You failed to refer Mrs A to a hospital consultant as soon as you should have.

"It is accepted by the GMC that, sadly, Mrs A had inoperable cancer and your late referral did not affect the eventual outcome in her case."

Dr Easwar's professional colleagues described him as a competent and caring doctor.

Dr Jay added: "Your departures from good medical practice related to a single patient towards the end of your treatment of Mrs A."

It was decided Dr Easwar's failings did not amount to misconduct but Dr Jay added: "To mark the fact the behaviour, although isolated, was unacceptable and must not happen again, it is necessary to issue a formal warning."

The warning will remain on Dr Easwar's record for five years and will be disclosed to any employer.

Dr Easwar apologised for any perceived shortcomings and, via a letter, expressed his sympathy to Mrs A's husband.

Bexley Care Trust said: "The panel is confident Dr Easwar is able to continue to practice."