No one ever wants to receive a cancer diagnosis. Getting this news is a life-altering event. You are counting on the healthcare provider to deliver accurate results, but that is not always the case.
How often is cancer really misdiagnosed?
Misdiagnoses are more common than many might expect. These errors can lead to delayed treatments, unnecessary procedures, and emotional distress. In many cases, these mistakes should have never occurred, and they can lead to a medical malpractice lawsuit.
Here is what you need to know about these issues and what to do if you have been affected by them.
Is Cancer Misdiagnosis a Major Issue?
Unfortunately, there isn’t much data to pinpoint the frequency of cancer misdiagnosis. These numbers are often hidden from the general public.
However, a study published in BMJ Quality & Safety estimated that approximately 5.08% of U.S. adults experience diagnostic errors in outpatient settings on an annual basis. That means over 12 million individuals have experienced some type of misdiagnosis.
Why does this happen? When you go to a doctor, you can expect the best and most accurate care.
However, there are numerous factors why these mistakes occur.
Some Cancers Are Not Easily Detectable
Not all cancers have easily recognizable signs. Some may have subtle symptoms or resemble other conditions. These include:
- Lymphoma: This is often mistaken for infections or autoimmune diseases because of symptoms like swollen lymph nodes and fatigue.
- Breast cancer: Even with regular checkups and mammograms, some breast tissue can obscure tumors. This can lead to false negatives. On the other hand, benign lumps may be misinterpreted as malignant.
- Lung cancer: Early-stage lung cancer symptoms can mimic those of bronchitis or pneumonia.
- Colorectal cancer: Abdominal discomfort or changes in bowel habits can be attributed to less severe conditions like irritable bowel syndrome.
- Melanoma: This skin cancer can be overlooked or mistaken for benign moles, especially if it lacks the typical asymmetry or color variation.
The Impact of Misdiagnosis
When someone receives a cancer diagnosis, their life is forever changed. However, a misdiagnosis is just as damaging. It can lead to unnecessary treatments. False positives can lead to unwarranted surgeries, chemotherapy, or radiation, exposing patients to unnecessary risks and side effects.
In worst case scenarios, misdiagnosis can lead to no treatment at all. For example, a missed or delayed diagnosis can allow cancer to advance to a more severe stage. In turn, that can limit your treatment options.
There is also the physical, emotional, and financial stress of a misdiagnosis. Whether you have cancer or not, a wrong diagnosis can be overwhelming for many people and their families. It can affect their mental health and quality of life.
How You Can Get an Accurate Diagnosis
If you are worried about whether the diagnosis is accurate, you can always seek out a second opinion.
Consulting another specialist can provide confirmation or a different perspective on a diagnosis.
Remember, you need to be your own advocate. It is important to ask questions, clarify results, and request additional testing. You need to feel confident that your provider is giving you an accurate diagnosis of your condition.
While we trust our doctors and their staff, they are not always right. Sometimes, a mistake or misinterpretation can lead to a misdiagnosis. In these cases, even negligence may have played a role in an inaccurate diagnosis. And, you may have a case for medical malpractice.
Missed Diagnoses and Medical Malpractice
In many cases, these diagnostic failures lead to medical malpractice claims, especially when a delay in diagnosis results in disease progression or reduces the patient’s chance of survival. This can happen when:
- Despite clear symptoms, a primary care physician or specialist failed to order necessary diagnostic tests, such as a biopsy or imaging scan.
- Test results were misread or miscommunicated.
- The healthcare provider dismissed or minimized a patient’s reported symptoms.
- There was a breakdown in communication between providers, such as a radiologist and a referring physician.
In these situations, the healthcare professional breached the standard of care, and this breach directly harmed the patient. Delayed cancer diagnosis meets these criteria, especially when early detection would have led to a better outcome for the patient.
Under these conditions, you may have the right to hold the healthcare provider accountable for their mistakes.
Unfortunately, this is a common issue in the United States. There are legal options if you have been affected by a delay or misdiagnosis and suffered some type of harm.
At McCoy & Hiestand, PLC, we are here to offer support during this time.
Learn more about how our law firm can help.
