Understanding cancer misdiagnosis

Cancer can have a devastating impact on the lives of an individual and their family, so it’s vital to diagnose the illness as early as possible to improve the chances of survival.  When delayed or misdiagnosis occurs due to clinical negligence, it can have tragic consequences.

What is cancer misdiagnosis?

Cancer misdiagnosis occurs when healthcare professionals fail to diagnose cancer in a timely or correct manner. This can include not diagnosing cancer at all, diagnosing the wrong condition or making the correct diagnosis too late. It leads to worsened outcomes such as more invasive treatment, spread of cancer or preventable death. It is a form of medical negligence, meaning that the care provided falls below the expected standard, resulting in avoidable harm or injury.

There are many ways that misdiagnosis can occur. Some patients might present with symptoms that are missed or dismissed, or there might be delays in diagnosing the cancer. Others may be told they have a non-cancerous condition – for example, lung cancer can be mistaken for pneumonia as they share similar symptoms.  On the other hand, some people are wrongly diagnosed with cancer, so they undergo unnecessary invasive treatment.

Common examples of misdiagnosis

A common example of cancer misdiagnosis is the misinterpretation of scans or test results, such as X-rays, mammograms or blood tests. Negligence may also arise when a patient’s medical history is not properly reviewed, meaning key risks or warning signs are overlooked.

Poor communication, either between healthcare professionals or with the patient themselves, could lead to negligent treatment. For example, a healthcare provider could fail to follow up on abnormal results due to an administrative error.

Why early detection matters

The sooner that cancer is diagnosed, the more likely it is that treatment will be successful. According to Cancer Research UK, nearly all women who are diagnosed with the earliest stage of breast cancer survive their disease for at least five years. However, the survival rate falls to three in ten women when breast cancer is diagnosed at the most advanced stage.

We are here for you

If you suspect that you have been affected by cancer misdiagnosis, you don’t have to go through it alone. Collaborating with a lawyer can help you understand what happened.

You can also read real-life examples to see how claims have helped other clients and their families.

To find out how our Medical Negligence team can support you, please get in touch with us on 0330 221 8855 or enquiries@attwaters.co.uk.