The clinic apologized in follow-up messages, some sent an hour later, writing that the message "had been sent in error," according to the BBC.
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Two days before Christmas, multiple patients at Askern Medical Practice in Doncaster, England received the horrifying news that they had "aggressive" lung cancer through a text message, the BBC reported.
The text message then asked them to fill out a DS1500 benefits form, which can only be filled out when a healthcare professional believes that a patient has less than six months to live.
However, the texts turned out to be a complete mistake. Askern Medical Practice sent a follow-up message an hour later, stating that the cancer texts were actually supposed to be cheerful holiday messages.
"Please accept our sincere apologies for the previous text message sent. This has been sent in error," the follow-up message read, according to the BBC. "Our message to you should have read We wish you a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year."
The BBC reported that Askern sees nearly 8,000 patients, although it is unclear how many received the text message.
One woman who remained anonymous told the BBC that she became "very worried" when she received the news and went to the clinic to find six other people there "panicking."
Sarah Hargreaves told BBC that when she saw the text she "broke down." When she tried to call the clinic following the news, she said she had a hard time getting through to someone.
"I had just had a mole removed and was awaiting a result from a biopsy and I had been to hospital as my smear test came back abnormal, so yes, I was very worried," Hargreaves told BBC.
Askern Medical Practice did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.
