Cancer delayed diagnosis compensation claim advice

Cancer is where abnormal cells within the body divide in an uncontrollable way. This can then cause the cancer to spread to other parts of the body, and can usually result in death.

There are over 200 different types of cancer. According to Cancer Research, 1 in 2 people born after 1960 in the UK will get some form of cancer in their lifetime. Anyone can be affected by cancer irrelevant of age or gender, but it is said to be more common as you get older. The most common types of cancer being; breast, prostate, lung, or bowel.

Diagnosing cancer correctly and at an early stage can be key to survival.

There are a variety of warning signs for cancer. Some of the key signs of cancer include unusual lumps or swelling, changes in moles, changes in your tissue feel or shape, persistent coughing or coughing up blood, for example.

If you spot any of these signs, it is important that you visit your doctor as soon as possible!

Delayed Cancer diagnosis

Due to the nature of cancer, it develops over time through various stages. If at the earlier stages a doctor failed to diagnose or miss the cancer, the cancer could develop into the more advanced stages which can be more life threatening. As cancer can be life threatening, it’s important that it’s diagnosed as early as possible to prevent more serious consequences.

A delayed diagnoses can be made by a GP failing to make a referral to a consultant, a misinterpretation of test results by doctors and hospital staff, or doctors or hospitals failing to follow up on symptoms they believe could be a sign of cancer.

Depending on when the cancer is diagnosed can result in a decrease or increase in your chances of survival.

A delay in a diagnoses can have a big effect on the kind of treatment that you receive as well. If caught early enough, radiotherapy might be able to be avoided. Chemotherapy may also be avoided if caught early enough too. Surgery can be also be avoided as well in the later stages if the cancer is caught earlier.

Can you claim?

Cancer can have a serious effect on a person’s life, both physically and psychologically. A delayed diagnoses can have a serious impact on a person’s life, leaving them unable to live their lives as they used to. This can prevent them from returning to work and enjoying their life in the way they did prior to the cancer.

You can claim for general damages due to the pain and suffering due to the delayed diagnoses and the affect it has had on you. You may also be able to claim for special damages if you have had to seek additional care, or are unable to return to work so have faced a loss of earning that could have been avoided if there was not a delayed diagnoses.

We can help

If you have been a victim of delayed diagnoses and have suffered because of this, we can help. We specialise in medical negligence claims, so if you think you have been a victim of medical negligence involving delayed cancer diagnosis, we urge you to contact us and we can advise you on whether you have a claim.