A woman whose doctor failed to tell her that a test showed her breast cancer had spread until six months after the test can go forward with a medical malpractice lawsuit, even though her breast cancer had not advanced to a new stage in those six months, a state appellate panel has ruled.

The 4-1 Appellate Division, First Department, ruling in Polanco v. Reed, 303169/08, reversed Bronx Supreme Court Justice Betty Stinson (See Profile), who had granted summary judgment to the defendants.