Recognising the signs of cancer misdiagnosis

In our last blog we explained how cancer misdiagnosis can happen. While some misdiagnoses are subtle, identifying the correct illness can be vital to ensuring you receive the right treatment. Recognising potential red flags and acting quickly can therefore make a crucial difference.

Symptoms that are often misdiagnosed

Spotting cancer at an early stage improves the chances of survival, so it’s vital to know the signs. We have included a list of key symptoms below. However, it’s important to note that if you have noticed any of these signs, it does not automatically mean you have cancer. Many other non-cancerous conditions share the same symptoms and, in many cases, your original diagnosis will be correct.

Symptoms that are often misdiagnosed include:

• Persistent heartburn or indigestion could be mistaken for acid reflux or anxiety.
• Unexplained fatigue is often attributed to stress or anaemia.
• Unusual lumps can be wrongly identified as benign.

Cancer Research UK advises that you should seek medical attention if you notice anything that is not normal for you. You can read more about the early signs of cancer on their website.

What to do if you suspect misdiagnosis

We understand that it can be difficult to challenge a medical professional. But it is important that, if you feel something isn’t quite right, you seek a second opinion. Sometimes it may help to bring another person to your appointments who can advocate for you. If you suspect misdiagnosis, other steps you should take include:

• Keep your medical records such as prescriptions, test results and referral letters.   
• Track your symptoms. Keep a note of when your symptoms started, their frequency, and if they change in response to treatment. 
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions. If there’s anything you don’t understand, ask your healthcare provider – they should explain your test results and why your diagnosis was made.

Seek professional advice

If you suspect that cancer misdiagnosis has caused harm, specialist legal advice can help you understand what went wrong and whether a claim may be possible. Our Medical Negligence team has years of experience supporting clients through difficult times such as this.

You can also read real-life examples of cases we’ve handled to see how claims have helped other clients.

For an initial free discussion, please get in touch with our friendly experts on 0330 221 8855 on enquiries@attwaters.co.uk.