Astonishing hospital blunder is blamed for a father's tragic death as it's revealed doctors simply 'forgot' to tell him he had cancer

  • Melbourne hospital forgets to inform patient of cancerous growth
  • Corey Bowerman failed to be notified of it on two occasions
  • He passed away after the cancer went untreated and multiplied 
  • The family reached a settlement with Royal Melbourne Hospital 

A loving father has died after doctors forgot to tell him he had cancer more than a decade ago.

Corey Bowerman was in a horror motorcycle crash in 2009 and was taken to Royal Melbourne Hospital for treatment.

But CT scans revealed there were bigger issues than the injuries sustained in the accident with doctor's detecting he was suffering lymphoma.

The diagnosis was recorded on his hospital file and an outpatient review was urgently recommended.

However, Mr Bowerman never received the results during his stay or even after he was discharged.

Corey Bowerman (pictured) died after doctors forgot to tell him he had cancer more than a decade ago

Corey Bowerman (pictured) died after doctors forgot to tell him he had cancer more than a decade ago

Some six years later he returned to hospital and once again his cancerous growth went unmentioned.

He only found out in 2020 when he was rushed to the emergency room after collapsing in a restaurant. 

'We were told by one doctor that dad had only weeks to live, so we were all quite a mess,' Mr Bowerman's daughter Kayla Staff-Valastro told news.com.au

'It was just so distressing.' 

During the harrowing ordeal, she was also pregnant with her first child and organising her wedding.

'The whole time I was pregnant I was thinking, 'Is he going to meet my child',' Ms Staff-Valastro said.

@hikayvee We were told my dad only had days to live leading up to giving birth to my son. Dad told me he would keep fighting until he met him. I got induced due to having pre clampsia - had an emergency c section - we discharged our self from the hospital the following day to visit dad as soon as we could - Dad finally got to meet his grandson & just a few days later he passed away and i was up for the biggest battle i have ever been dealt, dealing with the loss of my dad and taking on the role as a first time mum - what an emotional roller coaster. Missing you so much ¿ #fuckcancer ¿ Dancing in the Sky - Dani and Lizzy
Ms Staff-Valastro gave birth to her boy Sonny (pictured together with Mr Bowerman) at 38 weeks. Her father passed away days later

Ms Staff-Valastro gave birth to her boy Sonny (pictured together with Mr Bowerman) at 38 weeks. Her father passed away days later

She gave birth to her boy Sonny at 38 weeks and filmed a viral TikTok video of her introducing the pair for the first time.

Days later Mr Bowerman tragically passed away.

'I truly do believe he held on to meet Sonny,' Ms Staff-Valastro said.

'When I went into the room, I said 'Are you ready to meet your grandson?' and he got emotional when I picked Sonny up and as you can see from the TikTok he said Sonny's name.'

Although Mr Bowerman reached a settlement with Royal Melbourne Hospital before his death, Ms Staff-Valastro remains furious about the medical staff's failure to follow-up on potentially life-saving information.

Royal Melbourne Hospital was unable to comment as legal proceedings were settled confidentially.

Mr Bowerman (pictured with Ms Staff-Valastro) only learnt of the cancer in 2020 when it was too late

Mr Bowerman (pictured with Ms Staff-Valastro) only learnt of the cancer in 2020 when it was too late

Mr Bowerman's daughter Ms Staff-Valastro (pictured together) is furious at the hospital for failing to pass on the potentially life-saving information

Mr Bowerman's daughter Ms Staff-Valastro (pictured together) is furious at the hospital for failing to pass on the potentially life-saving information