Have You Received a Misdiagnosis of Cervical Cancer?
Every year over 11,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in our country. The lower part of a woman’s uterus, called cervix can be affected with cervical cancer. Diagnosing cancer should be done in the earliest stages of the illness for the best results of treatment.
When a misdiagnosis of cervical cancer occurs, the patient does not have the same chance of a post outcome as do a patient who had proper treatments. Wrong treatments, delayed treatments, no treatments, given or treatments are given without any need when misdiagnosis of cervical cancer. A misdiagnosis can also result in death.
There are medical malpractice attorneys representing victims all over the country in misdiagnosis of cervical cancer cases. They will determine if you have a claim by offering free evaluations.
Diagnosis of Cervical Cancer
A regular visit to a doctor for a Pap smear is important for women who are sexually active. Although a Pap smear is not a diagnostic test, it is used to find abnormal cells. If a cell is seen that is abnormal, more tests should be ordered to properly diagnose.
Diagnostic testing includes:
Colposcopy – this includes the use of a colposcope to look at the cervix and the areas of abnormal cellular growth.
Biopsy – taking a sample of the abnormal tissue for testing.
Endocervical scraping – a specialized instrument is used to scrape tissue lining the endocervical canal, an area the doctor cannot reach with the colposcope
Cone biopsy – removing a piece of cone-shaped tissue from the cervix.
These tests need to be performed and read by professionals. Mistakes in testing or in the interpretation of the test results can lead to poor treatment and possible death.
How Misdiagnosis of Cervical Cancer Occurs
Cervical cancer may be misdiagnosed as the result of:
*Failing to recognize symptoms of cervical cancer, thereby failing to perform the tests necessary for diagnosis
*Full patient history is not obtain. This would include information on such risk factors as HPV (Human Papilloma Virus)
*Lab results are misinterpreted
*Patient lab results mixed up with those of another patient due to a laboratory error
These are just a few examples and any of these mistakes can result in diagnosis being delayed, missed or the wrong diagnosis all together. For instance, is someone was diagnosed with an illness and received treatment but they never had any illness or if someone did have an illness and it was never diagnosed. These unnecessary mistakes can be fatal for a patient.
Have You Been Misdiagnosed?
Victims of a cervical cancer misdiagnosis can take legal action to hold the negligent party(s) accountable. Depending on the unique circumstances of the case, an individual may able to obtain compensation for losses such as medical costs, pain and suffering, and emotional anguish.
To learn more about your legal rights if you have been misdiagnosed, contact a medical attorney today. They will be happy to evaluate your case, answer your legal questions and inform you of your rights.
