Alleged victims of a breast surgeon accused of performing unnecessary operations to boost his reputation and income have been addressing court. 

Ian Paterson, 59, is charged with 20 counts of wounding with intent against nine women and one man, between 1997 and 2011. 

In recent days, Nottingham Crown Court has heard from several of the alleged victims, including a woman who said she had an unnecessary mastectomy believing her family history placed her at high risk of breast cancer. 

She underwent several operations at a private hospital near Birmingham and then had a mastectomy after the Glasgow-born surgeon allegedly told her it would avoid “full-blown breast cancer”. She said she later had genetic tests that revealed she was at “no higher risk (of breast cancer) than anybody else”. 

Another woman, who works as a doctor, told the court she had an “unnecessary” mastectomy and reconstruction after Paterson said she had cancer that could become aggressive. She alleged the surgeon said he would recommend his own wife had the same procedure if they were in her position. After the operation, Mr Paterson suggested she consider the same operation on the other breast in the long-term, but as she felt ill she asked to leave it under review. 

The court also heard from a man who had a double mastectomy after allegedly being told by Paterson he was “on the road to cancer”. Prosecutors claim the man never had cancer. 

The surgeon, who was employed by Heart of England NHS Trust and practised at various Spire Healthcare hospitals in the West Midlands between 1994 and 2011, denies all charges. 

The trial continues. 

Thompsons Solicitors is representing many of Paterson’s patients in civil cases.