Delayed diagnosis of cancer is the leading culprit in the category of delayed diagnosis that we see in medical malpractice cases. When a doctor ignores the warning signs of cancer, or fails to order the correct tests, then the patient may lose their life or health as a result of medical malpractice. Early diagnosis of cancer is the key to survival for many forms of cancer. Delay in diagnosis is as a related form of diagnostic error. It is defined as a non-optimal interval of time between the onset of symptoms, identification, and initiation of treatment. Examples may be medication, lab work, physical therapy and the list goes on. (see The Joint Commissions’ Office of Quality and Safety)
In the event you believe that you have been the victim of medical malpractice it is important to seek counsel from an experienced attorney. To avoid being the next patient with a delayed or missed diagnosis, it is important to seek treatment with an experienced physician. For example, an Oncologist Specialist for cancer diagnosis and treatment. The choices can be overwhelming, but it is necessary to perform the proper research according to your health care plan. A few steps you can take include:
- Verify the physician’s credentials, education, and experience
- Look into the doctor’s reputation including former patient reviews
- Discover what hospitals and organizations are affiliated with the doctor
- Look into what hospitals and treatment centers are ranking well for cancer treatment
The initial responsibility for treatment lies with the patient to seek out medical care. Then, the correct diagnosis and treatment becomes the responsibility of the physician. Many cancers are treatable and even curable if found and diagnosed early. Doctors may miss a cancer diagnosis for multiple reasons. For instance, a primary care doctor may disregard potential cancer symptoms in a patient or consider them to be unimportant. Or, the doctor may neglect to order appropriate diagnostic testing. Unfortunately, sometimes a busy doctor is just not paying attention to the warning signs of cancer. Once in the medical system, there can be more treatment delays.
Again, seek out an experienced medical malpractice attorney if believe your doctor has been negligent. Jeff Badgley has been representing clients in medical malpractice cases for over 25 years. He can help you!
Badgley Law Group will review your case to determine if medical negligence has been committed. We consult with medical professionals and experts in the field to decide if the standard of care was not given to you by the medical professional in question. Call us for a free consultation today at 407-487-4154.