Experts estimate that approximately 128,000 Americans suffer injury as a result of cancer misdiagnosis each year. According to a study published in the medical journal Cancer in 2004, 12 percent of all cancer patients in the United States are initially misdiagnosed. Failing to promptly diagnose many forms of cancer can result in serious injury or even death. Colon cancer, breast cancer, and lung cancer are the most commonly misdiagnosed forms of cancer.

False Cancer Diagnosis

Cancer misdiagnosis can occur when a doctor informs a healthy patient that they have cancer, when in fact they do not. In this case, a patient may undergo unnecessary medical testing, disfiguring surgery, needless chemotherapy and radiation treatment, and more. This unnecessary treatment may cause serious injury, pain and suffering, and even death. Negligent medical professionals responsible for cancer misdiagnosis can be held accountable for your injuries and suffering.

Missed Cancer Diagnosis or Delayed Cancer Diagnosis

According to cancer expert Dr. Stephen S. Raab, the most common consequence of cancer misdiagnosis is that patients who have cancer are not diagnosed promptly. The major causes of missed or delayed cancer diagnosis can include:

• Improper sampling of blood and tissue
• Incorrect reading of laboratory tests
• A medical professional’s failure to order proper testing
• Failure to recognize and respond to symptoms of cancer
• Mistaking cancer for another benign condition
• Failure to recommend proper cancer screening tests in accordance with medical protocol
• More

The early detection and treatment of cancer greatly increases one’s chances of survival. With many common cancers—such as breast cancer, colon and colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, and lung cancer—early diagnosis is crucial to a good prognosis. Conversely, patients who are not properly diagnosed early may require more invasive and expensive treatments and have a lower chance of survival.

If you or a loved one has suffered serious injury or death because of cancer misdiagnosis, you may be able to seek compensation through a medical malpractice lawsuit. Our qualified cancer misdiagnosis attorneys are prepared to thoroughly examine your case to determine the best way to help you and your family. You may be able to recover your past and future medical expenses, lost income, and compensation for your pain and suffering, diminished quality of life or reduced lifespan, disability, and more. Please contact us today to speak with an experienced attorney about cancer misdiagnosis.