How does clinical negligence affect cancer patients?

How does clinical negligence affect cancer patients?

Clinical negligence on the part of doctors and nurses affects cancer patients every year in the UK, and therefore the law makes it possible for the victims of clinical negligence to claim financial compensation.

Why is it important to receive early treatment for cancer?

Early treatment of cancer gives the best chance of cure. Often, the longer cancer is left untreated the harder it is to treat. For example, patients diagnosed with ovarian cancer at the earliest possible stage have a 92.5% chance of survival, whereas for those diagnosed at the most advanced stage of the disease the survival rate drops to just 11.6%.

Thus, a missed diagnosis by a negligent doctor can mean the difference between life and death for a great number of cancer patients.

How can the symptoms of cancer be missed?

Doctors can miss or misdiagnose cancer because:

• in the very early stages most cancers have very few symptoms; • cancer can affect any part of the body, therefore symptoms can be widespread and erratic; • they misinterpret results or their testing is inadequate; • symptoms reported by children tend to be vague, and thus cancer in children is often missed;

Doctors and other healthcare professionals do make mistakes, and if their mistakes seriously affect your life then you are entitled to make a claim for compensation.

Contact a Solicitor

If you suspect that you have a valid claim for compensation, the first thing you should do is contact a solicitor. The team at Pannone LLP will be happy to provide legal advice and guidance, helping you decide whether to pursue a claim or not.

For more information visit their website at: http://www.pannone.com/solicitors-for-you/clinical-negligence.asp

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