An Atlanta woman is suing Kaiser Permanente after she was misdiagnosed with aggressive cancer and underwent a full hysterectomy that was later found to be unnecessary due to a laboratory mix-up.
Cassandra Barksdale, 43, was informed in March 2025 that she had a high-grade, aggressive form of endometrial uterine cancer, according to court documents. This diagnosis came after she had visited Kaiser Permanente Southwood Medical Center in Jonesboro, Georgia, in January 2025 for an examination of uterine fibroids.
Her lawsuit states that a biopsy was performed, but her tissue sample was mistakenly labeled as belonging to another patient. Despite a subsequent CT scan showing no evidence of cancer, doctors recommended a total hysterectomy, which involved the removal of her uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes, and ovaries, along with four lymph nodes.
Following the surgery, pathology reports from Barksdale's procedure showed no signs of cancer. Doctors still recommended chemotherapy. However, in September 2025, Barksdale was informed that the cancerous tissue actually belonged to a different patient and that her own surgery had been unnecessary.
Barksdale alleges negligence, claiming she has suffered permanent and irreversible injuries and now experiences a fear of future medical treatment and a profound distrust of healthcare providers. She recounted at a press conference that she had to tell her sons she had only five years to live, prompting a deep depression within her family and leading her to explore establishing trust funds for her children.
While relieved she did not have cancer, Barksdale expressed anger and sadness about the situation, particularly concerning the other patient whose tissue was misidentified and who may have been unknowingly living with cancer while Barksdale underwent extensive surgery. "So it made me feel very, you know, I was very angry and sad, and I was very concerned about the other person," she stated.
Roderick Edmond, Barksdale's lawyer, expressed bewilderment at the error, questioning how such a mistake could occur with modern technology. Kaiser Permanente acknowledged the incident, stating that Ms. Barksdale should not have had to endure this experience. A spokesperson for the medical center added, "We have highly trained staff and very thorough processes in place to prevent errors like this from taking place. After this occurred last year, we took immediate steps to ensure it could not happen again."
Barksdale is seeking $10,000 in damages and has requested a jury trial.