Health care providers may commit medical malpractice by misdiagnosing, failing to diagnose, or delaying the diagnosis of an illness. Misdiagnosis may occur because of the provider’s failure to ask certain, vital questions or to recognize the necessity for further testing or examination, including the referral to a specialist. This can cause an illness to worsen, thus reducing or even eliminating a patient’s chance for complete recovery, even survival. If a condition spreads without necessary treatment, the chance for a cure diminishes and the risk of significant harm increases.
Some types of cancers are detectable early by routine screening tests. For example, colonoscopies can detect colon cancer; mammograms can detect breast cancer; PSA blood tests can detect prostate cancer, and PAP smears can detect cervical cancer.
Lung cancer occurs when abnormal cells grow in the lungs causing harm. Like many other cancers, if there is a misdiagnosis, delay or failure to diagnose, lung cancer may progress to an advanced stage. According to data released by the Mayo Clinic, lung cancer kills more people than breast, colon, ovarian, and prostate cancer combined.
Some of the most common warning signs of lung cancer include:
- A chronic cough
- Coughing up blood
- Wheezing
- Hoarseness
- Bad breath
- Chronic headaches
- Back pain or shoulder pain
- Bone pain
- Chest pain
- Knee pain
- Rash
- Fever
- Weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Repeated infections
- Yellowing of fingernails or toenails
Typical diagnostic tests that may detect lung cancer include a biopsy, bronchoscopy, sputum test, or imaging tests like an x-ray or CT scan. Errors may result from physicians failing to order tests in a timely fashion, failing to properly interpret tests and misreading x-rays or other imaging tests. A delayed diagnosis of lung cancer results in the postponement of the beginning of medical treatment, which allows the cancer to spread, and the chance for a cure to diminish.
If you or a loved one have been harmed as a result of a misdiagnosis, delay in diagnosis, or failure to diagnose lung cancer due to medical malpractice, Bonina and Bonina, P.C., has successfully fought for New Yorkers injured by medical malpractice for over 50 years. Our experienced trial attorneys offer the necessary assistance to help you obtain compensation for your injuries. Contact us today at 1-888-MedLaw1 or online so we may help you. The consultation is free. Home and hospital visits are available. Se habla espaňol.