The key to successfully treating cancer is an early diagnosis. Unfortunately, medical mistakes may lead to a delay in diagnosing cancer in its early stages. According to a recent study, close to 12% of cancer cases are misdiagnosed. These mistakes can deprive a person of the opportunity to be cured or receive meaningful treatment and can lead to severe suffering for that person.
Causes of Delayed Diagnosis of Cancer
Delayed diagnosis is commonly caused by one or more the following medical mistakes:
Common Types of Misdiagnosed Cancer
- Breast Cancer
- Colon/Rectal Cancer
- Lung Cancer
- Prostate Cancer
- Cervical Cancer
- Ovarian Cancer
- Failing to realize the importance of the patient’s complaints
- Misreading x-rays or test results
- Failing to order proper diagnostic tests
- Failing to test visible lumps
- Failing to attach appropriate significance to complaints or symptoms
- Failing to refer a patient to the right type of specialist in a timely fashion
- Failing to check at-risk patients routinely
- Mistaking a tumor as benign (non-cancerous)
- Mistaking the tumor as being an infection or cyst
A delayed diagnosis of cancer can lead to spread of the cancer, which in turn can complicate treatment. Otherwise unnecessary chemotherapy and radiation treatment or additional surgeries may be required. In cases where there is a significant spread of cancer, misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis can cause the patient’s wrongful death.
At Bonina & Bonina, P.C. we believe that every person with cancer deserves a full opportunity for early detection, early treatment, and complete cure. When someone is denied the opportunity for complete cure, we fight zealously to protect and advance their legal rights. We fight for expedited discovery schedules and expedited trials on behalf of cancer survivors who were the victims of delayed diagnosis. We have successfully fought on behalf of many clients in cases involving a delayed diagnosis of breast cancer, colon cancer, Hodgkin’s disease, and many other cancers.
If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of a delayed diagnosis of cancer and you want the facts of that medical care investigated, you should contact the Med Law team at 1-888-MEDLAW1 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation. Se habla espanol. Home and hospital visits are available.