Failure to Diagnose Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer affects thousands of woman and their families every
day. The effects of breast cancer can be further complicated
when a health care provider fails to properly diagnose a patient.
Failure to diagnose breast cancer accounted for about 40 percent of all medical malpractice suits filed in 1999. Several of the top ten lawsuits settled (over 1 million dollars) in Massachusetts involved medical malpractice where a physician failed to identify, in a timely manner, a serious case of breast cancer.
What is failure to Diagnose?
Failure to diagnose, as it is known in the medical and legal
communities, is a form of medical malpractice, which is the negligent
or incorrect performance of the professional duties of health
care providers and institutions. In general, there are four prerequisites
for a valid claim of medical malpractice:
1) A provider-patient relationship existed;
2) Negligent care was rendered;
3) the patient suffered damage or harm;
4) and the damage or harm done to the patient was a direct
result of the negligent care.
Why is Failure to diagnose so common?
The reason may be a preconception among the medical community
that only older woman with a family history of breast cancer
are at risk. A recent study lists the following as the top reasons
why doctors misdiagnose breast cancer.
They include:
1) Doctors relying too much on a woman's age as a predicting factor for breast cancer.
2) Doctors relying too heavily on negative mammogram results, even if the woman has felt a lump.
3) Doctors who don't take woman seriously when they complain
of symptoms.
Early Detection is Key
Regular testing for breast cancer is the best way to spot
early signs and greatly improve your chances for a full recovery.
This is best achieved through monthly self exams as well as regular
mammograms.
The clinical stage of breast cancer is the best indicator
for prognosis (possible outcome). Five-year survival rates for
individuals with breast cancer who receive appropriate treatment
are approximately:
85% for Stage I
66% for Stage II
41% for Stage III
10% for Stage IV
Sometimes, not all cancers are diagnosed on time, greatly
reducing the chances of a recovery.
What Should I do?
Misdiagnosis is not always malpractice, but you owe it to yourself
and your family to know for sure. Submit your case for a free
consultation. Our attorneys will help you determine whether Misdiagnosis
has occurred and the viability of your case. If you or a loved
one has been a victim of malpractice, legal action is not getting
even. It's about placing responsibility and raising the standard
of cancer care.