In spite of ongoing progress in the quest to find improved treatments for cancer, early diagnosis and treatment remain our most effective weapons in fighting this deadly disease. The earlier cancer is diagnosed and treatment begun, the more favorable the prognosis.

The problem is that cancer has no specific symptoms; rather, the symptoms of cancer could also be signs of other conditions. If you experience symptoms, report them to your doctor right away. Only a physician can evaluate your symptoms—along with lifestyle patterns (smoking, diet, and exercise, for example), family history, and history of occupational or environmental exposure to harmful substances—to determine your cancer risk. A physical examination may also reveal warning signs.

Based on your cancer risk factors, your doctor may order screening procedures, even if you have no symptoms. Screening saves lives—in fact, some studies suggest that cancer deaths could be reduced by up to 35% if screening tests were widely used. Screening procedures are currently available to detect many cancers, including breast, colon, rectum, cervix, prostate, testes, mouth, and skin, while tests for other cancers are being developed. Self-examination, another type of screening, is recommended for breast, skin, and testicular cancers, among others.

Unfortunately, even the most highly skilled medical practitioners using the latest screening technology can make diagnostic errors. And because failure to diagnose cancer in its early stages can lead to treatment delays, even simple mistakes can be deadly.  In one recent case, an emergency room doctor faxed a report of an abnormal chest x-ray to the patient’s cardiologist. The cardiologist claimed he never saw the x-ray; as a result, he failed to follow up with the patient, who subsequently died of lung cancer.

Even in the early stages, a diagnosis of cancer can be devastating. A delay in diagnosing cancer, however, can mean the difference between life and death. If you or a loved one has experienced a delay in treatment because of misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose cancer in its early stages, contact our office immediately. Failure to take prompt action could jeopardize a potential claim.