Mesothelioma Legal Advice

When the lower part of a women’s uterus or the cervix is affected by cancer it is known as cervical cancer and it is diagnosed in over 11,000 women in the United States each year. Successful treatment is possible when cervical cancer is diagnosed early. The misdiagnosis of cervical cancer can cause a delay in treatment which then main result in a reduced survival rate and possibly death.

Attorneys represent the victims of cervical cancer misdiagnosis. Contact a law firm if you would like to speak with a medical malpractice attorney for a free claim evaluation.

How Cervical Cancer Is Diagnosed

Women who are sexually active should receive regular Pap smears. Though not a diagnostic test, a pap smear may be used to identify cells that are not normal. If abnormal cells are present, the physician should order further testing to make a positive diagnosis. Diagnostic tests may include:

• Colposcopy – the doctor uses an instrument called a colposcope to look at the cervix and see more clearly areas of abnormal cell growth
• Biopsy – a sample of abnormal tissue is taken from the cervix for testing
• Endocervical scraping – a specialized instrument is used to scrape tissue lining the endocervical canal, an area the doctor cannot reach with the colposcope
• Cone biopsy – a cone-shaped piece of tissue is removed from the cervix

Failure to administer diagnostic tests or to interpret the results properly can postpone effective treatment options and have devastating consequences for the patient.

How Misdiagnosis of Cervical Cancer Occurs

A misdiagnosis of cervical cancer may occur because:

• The doctor fails to recognize symptoms of cervical cancer, thereby failing to perform the tests necessary for diagnosis
• The doctor fails to obtain a full patient history, which is important for identifying risk factors such as Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
• Lab results are misinterpreted
• A laboratory error causes the patient’s results to be confused with another patient’s

Misdiagnosis can take several forms, including delayed diagnosis, missed diagnosis, and wrong diagnosis. These misdiagnoses each carry particular consequences. A patient diagnosed with cervical cancer but who does not have cancer will suffer unnecessary and painful treatments. An individual whose cancer was not diagnosed at all may not receive the necessary treatments for survival.

Have You Been Misdiagnosed

Victims of a cervical cancer misdiagnosis can take legal action to hold the negligent party(s) accountable. Depending on the facts of the case, a person may be able to obtain compensation for losses related to medical care, pain and suffering both physical and emotional.

To learn more about your legal rights if you have been misdiagnosed, contact a medical attorney today. They will happily evaluate your case, answer questions related to legal issues and inform you of your legal rights.