Breast Cancer Misdiagnosis
Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer found in women. In fact, 1 in 8 women will suffer from breast cancer at some point in their life. While advances in medicine and technology have made breast cancer a treatable disease, some doctors may misdiagnose the cancer, which can result in devastating consequences.
Types of Breast Cancer Misdiagnoses
Breast cancer can be misdiagnosed in several ways:
1. A woman discovers a lump in her breast and sees her doctor. The doctor orders a mammogram, which comes back negative. Unfortunately, not all breast cancers can be detected by a mammogram. In fact, mammograms have a false negative rate of at least 10%. Still, the doctor fails to order an ultrasound or biopsy which would be expected for a sizeable breast lump and a negative mammogram. The physician fails to meet the standard of care required of all medical professionals and sends the woman away with a breast cancer misdiagnosis.
2. A woman goes to her doctor for a mammogram or ultrasound. However, the results of the tests are misread, and the woman receives a misdiagnosis of breast cancer.
3. A woman receives a biopsy of a lump in her breast. The pathologist misreads the biopsy slide and the woman is sent home with a misdiagnosis of breast cancer.
4. A woman sees her doctor for a biopsy of a lump in her breast. Unfortunately, the surgeon does not get the lesion on which he intended to perform the biopsy.
While these are the most common forms of breast cancer misdiagnosis, other misdiagnoses can be attributed to:
- A cancerous tumor that is misclassified as to type or aggressiveness
- Failure to properly screen patients who are at-risk for breast cancer
- Failure to notice the nature of the patient's complaints
Are you a victim of breast cancer misdiagnosis or a delay in diagnosis? Fill out our free case evaluation form to find out how our cancer misdiagnosis attorneys can help you.
After a Misdiagnosis of Breast Cancer
When breast cancer is missed, it can significantly impact a patient's survival. A woman who is diagnosed with breast cancer in the early stages will live at least five years longer than those diagnosed in the later stages. In addition, if a patient receives a delayed diagnosis of breast cancer, more drastic forms of treatment may be required. Higher doses of chemotherapy and radiation are not only painful, but can begin to affect the patient's financial stability. If your feel uneasy about your doctor's negative test results, get a second opinion.
If you have received a positive diagnosis of breast cancer, find out whether the diagnosis is correct. Seek second opinions, see a specialist, order more diagnostic tests and search websites about breast cancer. This can spare patients who receive a false-positive breast cancer diagnosis from costly and painful treatments.
Every year, more and more women are receiving a misdiagnosis of breast cancer. Although speaking with a breast cancer misdiagnosis lawyer may be the last thought on your mind, it is important to be aware of your legal rights. Because of your doctor's negligence or mistakes, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering and more.
