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As the ability to diagnose and treat cancer continues to improve, a doctor''s failure to diagnose cancer becomes more significant. A patient''s chances of survival are directly linked to the stage of the cancer when it is discovered, and a failure to diagnose cancer in an early stage can also mean that the patient must undergo more rigorous and painful treatment than would otherwise be necessary. As the number of patients seen by doctors continues to increase, and the amount of time a doctor has to spend with a patient decreases, failure to diagnose cancer may become more common. Medical malpractice suits stemming from the failure to diagnose cancer are some of the most common types of clinical negligence claims.
Failure to diagnose cancer can occur because of a number of medical mistakes, and the risk of failure to diagnose cancer is in some part dependent upon the type of cancer involved. Below are some examples of the more common types of cancer that result in a suit naming the doctor''s failure to diagnose cancer:
Cervical : A type of cancer easily detectable by smear tests. The survival rates are quite high if detected in early stages, but errors in screening and misinterpretation of results can cause a failure to diagnose cancer that may lead to infertility or death.
Breast : Responds well to early treatment, but can remain undetected for lengthy amounts of time. A failure to diagnose cancer of the breast tissue can result in serious delays in starting treatment, sometimes causing the loss of one or both breasts, or the death of the patient. Carcinoma of the breast is associated with more claims for negligence than any other form of disease.
Prostate: Like breast cancer, prostate cancer usually has an excellent recovery rate for early treatment. failure to diagnose cancer of the prostate has declined a bit as the methods used for screening continue to improve.
Esophageal: The distinct symptoms and contributing risk factors should prevent competent doctors from a failure to diagnose cancer of the esphageous, as patients have difficulty swallowing, a chronic cough, and generally experience severe weight loss.
Colon: A failure to diagnose cancer of the colon usually relates to the failure to properly evaluate and respond to complaints of rectal bleeding. Colon cancer is the second leading cause of death in cancer patients.
Early treatments of all of these cancers are far less painful and strenuous than the later courses of action that may be required as a result of failure to diagnose cancer. Chemotherapy and radiation may be avoided if the cancer is found in early stages, but a doctor''s failure to diagnose cancer may mean that the pain and suffering and financial hardship that result are the responsibility of the physician. If you or someone you love has suffered as the result of a doctor''s failure to diagnose cancer, you may be entitled to claim monies related to medical treatment and hospital costs, lost wages, cost of home care or hospice care, funeral expenses, and other costs such as pain and suffering. Attorneys who have experience representing victims of failure to diagnose cancer can help you determine your legal rights and plan for the future.
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