A tragic incident at a Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital has resulted in the death of a Vietnam veteran and has left his widow deeply concerned about the possibility of similar cases. Michael Hansen, a 67-year-old veteran from Nebraska, passed away due to late-stage lung cancer, but his story is marred by missed opportunities for early detection and intervention. Michael and his wife Lisa Hansen hold the Omaha Veterans Affairs Medical Center responsible for the failure to follow up on his potential cancer, allowing it to progress unchecked.
The chain of events began in July 2019 when a radiologist at the VA center identified a growth in Michael Hansen’s lung that raised concerns about malignancy. However, crucial follow-up actions were not taken. Such post-surgery scans are routine for veterans like Hansen, who played a role in replacing damaged equipment during the Vietnam War.
It was over a year later when Michael Hansen returned to the VA hospital, struggling to breathe. Subsequent examinations revealed that the tumor, initially the size of a postage stamp, had grown nearly fourfold, with the emergence of another tumor. The hospital’s Chief of Medicine, Gary Gorby, and Risk Manager, Laura Whale, openly acknowledged their mistake.
During the time between the initial identification and the return visit, Michael Hansen’s cancer had progressed from a stage IA2 diagnosis, which typically has an 83% five-year survival rate according to the American Joint Committee on Cancer, to a stage IV diagnosis, a grim prognosis that often leads to death within a year.
The devastating consequences of this negligence took a heavy toll on the Hansen family. Lisa Hansen expressed her ongoing pain and anguish, describing the situation as a “gut punch” that has upended their lives. She stated, “It’s hard to live with. … They destroyed our life.”
Upon investigation, it was revealed that the Omaha VA had a system in place to manage concerning lung scans, but it had failed due to a lack of oversight. VA leaders admitted this during depositions reviewed by Nebraska Public Media. This systemic failure allowed Michael Hansen’s condition to deteriorate unnoticed.
Tragically, Michael Hansen passed away on December 30, 2021. In an attempt to seek justice and accountability, Lisa Hansen filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government. The lawsuit was resolved in December 2021, just a day before it was scheduled for trial.
Beyond the legal resolution, Lisa Hansen remains determined to uncover the extent of the problem. She is deeply concerned about how many other cases of missed cancer diagnoses may exist within the Omaha VA. She believes that the VA should take proactive measures, such as reviewing cases and reaching out to affected individuals, following the resignation of a nurse who was responsible for overseeing such matters.
Furthermore, it is important to note that lung cancer, despite being highly preventable, remains the leading cause of cancer-related death among veterans, as reported by the University of California Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center. This highlights the urgent need for improved healthcare practices and vigilance within the VA system to ensure that veterans receive timely and accurate medical care, reducing the risk of similar tragedies in the future.
