Cancer Misdiagnosis

It is well known that with proper screening with such techniques as mammograms, colonoscopies, blood tests and MRIs, that certain cancer malignancies can be diagnosed at an early stage. Certain cancers, such as breast cancer, colon cancer and cervical cancer can be screened for with routine testing. It is with early diagnosis that treatment increases one’s ability to have effective treatment and a better long-term prognosis.

There are instances where cancers are missed and opportunities for treatment are lost. When a delay in diagnosis occurs, the patient’s prognosis or treatment if often dramatically affected and there is actionable malpractice.

With breast cancer, some of the common errors involve:

Inappropriate follow up when a lump or mass is reported by a patient
Improper reading of a mammogram
Failure to order a biopsy when a mass is detected

With Colon and rectal cancers, these lesions generally grow slowly over a period of years, often beginning as small polyps. Removing these polyps early, before they become malignant, is an effective means of preventing colorectal cancer. Some common symptoms include: rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, change in bowel habits or unexplained anemia. Some common errors in diagnosing colorectal cancers include:

Failing to perform a thorough exam, or failure to inform the patient of the significance of rectal bleeding
Failing to recommend a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy

Many gynecologists recommend yearly Pap smears to screen for cervical cancers. Pre-invasive lesions of the cervix can be detected through this test. These Pap smears are usually read and interpreted by laboratories .The labs can determine is you have an infection, abnormal cells or cancer. Testing errors can include:

Inadequately or improperly analyzing test results
Delays can occur by physicians, labs or other medical personnel who, through inappropriate care, fail to properly administer the test or report the results

The attorneys at the Lum Firm have expertise in evaluating and pursuing medical malpractice claims involving failures in the diagnosis or and testing for these and other cancers. Contact our cancer misdiagnosis attorneys, for assistance pursuing accountability for medical negligence.