Over 266,000 people are diagnosed with breast cancer each year in the United States. And while a breast cancer diagnosis is horrible, what’s even worse is not catching it early enough (or even at all).
A recent study found that breast cancer is commonly misdiagnosed. This means that thousands of women aren’t getting the treatment they need because their cancer is not correctly identified.
How often is breast cancer misdiagnosed? We’ll answer that question and more in this quick guide to medical malpractice and cancer misdiagnosis.
What’s important to know is that if you’ve been misdiagnosed, lawyers can help you get the compensation you deserve. This doesn’t help make up for the wrong diagnosis or delayed diagnosis of your cancer. However, it can help ensure you receive proper compensation for your treatments and emotional damage.
What Is Cancer Misdiagnosis?
Cancer misdiagnosis occurs when a healthcare provider:
- Incorrectly diagnoses a patient with cancer
- Fails to diagnose the presence of cancer
- Fails to diagnose the severity of cancer
In these cases, a patient may receive unnecessary treatment. They might also be denied treatment altogether.
This type of medical error can have serious consequences, including:
- Delays in proper diagnosis
- Decreased chances of successful treatment
- Decreased chance of survival
Unfortunately, cancer misdiagnosis isn’t uncommon. However, there are ways to minimize the risk. That includes obtaining second opinions and being proactive in asking questions about your diagnosis and treatment options.
It’s important to remember that seeking additional opinions can potentially save your life.
How Often Is Breast Cancer Misdiagnosed?
Contrary to popular belief, breast cancer is misdiagnosed fairly often.
Research and various studies suggest that the rate ranges anywhere from 5% to 31%. This means that roughly 1 in 10 women will receive a false negative. Or, they might be told they don’t have cancer when they do.
Currently, the American Cancer Society states that 1 in 8 mammograms fail to detect cancer. The New England Journal of Medicine estimates that up to 31% of women receive a breast cancer misdiagnosis.
There are several reasons for this, including poor communication between doctors and patients, misinterpretation of test results, and unreliable screening tools like mammograms.
This is why it’s so important for women to educate themselves on the risks and limitations of early detection methods. If you feel something is off in your own body then always ask for a second opinion.
Many health insurance plans, including those in Hawaii, include coverage for second opinions.
How Does a Breast Cancer Misdiagnosis Occur?
A breast cancer misdiagnosis can occur in several ways. Sometimes, it can be a result of human error, such as a misinterpretation of a mammogram or biopsy results. Other times, it might be due to faulty equipment or a lack of proper resources available for the diagnosis.
Additionally, certain risk factors may make cancer harder to detect in a mammogram. This can lead to a potential misdiagnosis.
For example, according to doctors, dense breasts can make it harder for mammograms to pick up tumors. This is because dense tissue and tumors both appear white on the x-ray. Therefore, women with dense breasts may need to undergo additional screenings.
This could require some women to visit a specialist for ultrasounds or MRI scans to look for cancerous abnormalities. In some cases, women simply miss a breast cancer diagnosis for failing to follow up with those additional exams.
Misdiagnosed Lawsuit: What Are Your Options?
Misdiagnosis can have serious consequences for patients, from financial loss to delayed treatment and worsened health. So, what can you do if you believe you’ve been misdiagnosed by a medical professional?
One option is to file a wrong diagnosis lawsuit or medical malpractice lawsuit against the healthcare provider in question. Your first step should be to gather evidence, including medical records and the opinion of another doctor.
From there, you can choose whether to:
- Negotiate with the healthcare practitioner or their insurance company,
- File a complaint with state medical boards, or
- Pursue legal action
It’s important to note that there may be statutes of limitations in place for filing a misdiagnosis lawsuit. That’s why it’s important to act as soon as possible and seek legal advice.
Misdiagnosis is a serious issue causing harm to patients everywhere. Hiring a lawyer can ensure you hold negligent healthcare providers accountable. It’s also important in ensuring you obtain compensation for any hardship you suffered.
What Does a Medical Malpractice Lawyer Do?
If you decide to hire the legal services of a medical malpractice lawyer then what can you expect from their services?
Medical malpractice lawyers specialize in representing clients who have been injured by the negligence or incompetence of a healthcare provider.
These attorneys often have a strong understanding of medical practices and procedures, as well as legal expertise related to the medical field. At Cummings Law, for example, our lead attorney Brian Cummings has over 20 years of experience with medical malpractice cases.
Does this experience make all the difference? Absolutely. Medical malpractice cases can be incredibly complex. They involve extensive research and expert testimony from medical professionals.
An experienced medical malpractice lawyer like Brian Cummings would work with you to gather evidence and forms of documentation (such as medical records). He would then use this to build a case against a healthcare provider, insurance company, or other responsible parties.
They may also negotiate settlements or represent their clients in court proceedings. Medical malpractice law is constantly evolving, so these attorneys must stay up-to-date on relevant laws and regulations to represent their clients.
Ultimately, a medical malpractice lawyer fights for justice and compensation. They do so on behalf of those who have suffered harm at the hands of negligent healthcare providers. That is what we do for you here at Cummings Law.
Hire a Medical Malpractice Lawyer
When it comes to breast cancer, early detection is key. That’s why a misdiagnosis can have lethal consequences. If you or a loved one has had breast cancer misdiagnosed, it’s important to seek out the help of an experienced medical malpractice lawyer.
Don’t suffer alone. Get in touch today so we can learn about your case and help you fight for justice.
Posted in: Cancer Misdiagnosis