We use the broad term “Medical negligence” to describe any treatment, lack of treatment or other variation from the accepted standards of medical, health or safety care on the part of the health provider which causes harm to a patient.

Medical negligence can include misdiagnosis, improper treatment, failure to treat, delay in treatment and  failure to perform appropriate follow-up and prescription errors.  

 Cancer is one area where early diagnosis is crucial.  It is a most distressing illness caused by the cells which make up the entire body.  When one cell changes and grows and divides rapidly out of control cell division takes place eventually forming a growing mass of cancer cells which is called a tumour.

There are two types of tumour known as benign or malignant. Benign tumours are not normally dangerous and include moles and warts.  Malignant tumours occur when the cancerous cells are able to spread into nearby organs where they can cause serious damage.

Metastasis occurs when cancer cells travel around the body through the blood vessels eventually beginning to divide and grow again in a new part of the body forming a new secondary tumour or metastases.

Medical science has revolutionised cancer treatments and early diagnosis can often lead to full recovery.  In some cases if the illness is not diagnosed properly or promptly it can result in a case for medical negligence where unnecessary suffering takes place.  Medical negligence can lead to delays in diagnosis and may deprive patients of the chance of a cure.

Medical negligence is an awful reality to face not only for the individual but for the family concerned and it’s not always the fault of the medical practitioner.  Therefore it is essential to seek legal representation from a firm of solicitors practiced in this field.

There are many types of cases that can result in negligence

Ovarian

Ovarian cancer is a malignant tumour that effects approximately 1.5% of women during their lifetime.  The condition begins in the ovaries and the cancerous cells sometimes break away from the ovary and spread to other tissues and organs and can also enter the bloodstream or lymphatic system and form new tumours in other parts of the body. 

Breast

While breast cancer often responds well to early cancer treatment, it may go undetected for months which will result in a serious delay in starting treatment. There are more legal claims arising from this condition than any other disease, it is always advised to get checked out early and if you feel you have been miss diagnosed to seek a legal opinion.

Lung

The detection of lung cancer is carried out using a number of techniques including radionuclide investigations, CAT and MRI scans and Mediastinoscopy.   There are many medical mistakes leading to a delay’s in diagnosis these often include failure to have a biopsy performed and failure to react quickly to biopsy results.

Cervix Cancer

Cervical cancer is a preventable disease which is why regular smear tests are important to identify pre-cancerous changes. The tests must be carried out properly and translated by specialists who can then eliminate the chances of illness.  If it’s detected during the early stages survival rates are very high with rapid and appropriate treatment.

Negligence cases arise when cervical cancer is misdiagnosed or when slow reaction to the illness causes problems.

Prostate Cancer

Prostate Cancer is the most common carcinoma in men.  There are over 30,000 diagnosed cases each year in the UK of which 10% are fatal.  Prostate cancer can be identified by using PSA screening and recovery rates are good if detected at an early stage.

Colon Cancer

Colon cancer is the second leading cause of carcinoma death within the UK.  The misdiagnosis of colon cancer will usually result from a failure to evaluate the complaints of rectal bleeding.   In these cases the illness can develop resulting in substantial damages awarded in the case of negligence.