When is a doctor legally liable for missing a cancer diagnosis?

Medical malpractice occurs when a doctor fails to follow the appropriate guidelines for detecting cancer.  Early detection and treatment allows many patients to successfully recover from the disease.  Most women believe that having their annual mammograms and clinical breast exams is enough to detect cancer.  A disease known as inflammatory breast cancer is undetectable on a mammogram and does not start out as a lump.  It is a very aggressive form of cancer caused by a build-up of breast cancer cells that block the lymphatic vessels and is often confused with a breast infection.  The lack of awareness about this disease may cause women to dismiss the warning signs that may include:

• Discoloration or redness of the skin
• Rapid increase in breast size
• Enlarged lymph nodes in the underarms or neck
• Flattening or inverted nipple
• Tenderness, pain or aching

Because inflammatory breast cancer does not appear like a typical breast cancer, it is much harder to diagnose.  Therefore, when a correct diagnosis is made, the cancer may have already metastasized and spread throughout the body.  You should seek legal advice from an experienced medical malpractice attorney for a full review of your case.

Talk to a Medical Malpractice Lawyer if you believe you've suffered due to a misdiagnosis or other form of medical negligence.