Each year over one hundred forty eight thousand people are diagnosed with cancer of the colon. Each year over fifty five thousand men and women die from the disease. When it is detected early cancer of the colon has a high cure rate. When the diagnosis comes early enough the cancer can be removed during a colonoscopy while it is still a mere polyp.
Even though there have been many attempts to educate the public about colon cancer screening many people still do not undergo screening procedures, such as a colonoscopy. Sometimes people refuse to undergo the procedure when their doctor recommends it. Yet there are still times when doctors who do not recommend colon screening to their patients. This sometimes takes place even when the patient exhibits signs consistent with colon cancer. Even though they do not do any testing, these physicians sometimes tell their patients that their symptoms are merely due to hemorrhoids.
Should the physicians do this and the patient is later diagnosed with advanced colon cancer that doctor may be liable for medical malpractice. Unfortunately, every year approximately thirty seven percent (or approximately 54,750 people) are diagnosed with colon cancer that has already spread to at least one of the lymph nodes. And 19 percent (approximately twenty eight thousand people) are already at stage 4 of the disease when they are first diagnosed. A diagnosis of metastatic colon cancer means a much reduced five year survival rate.
If you or a member of your family have been diagnosed with metastatic cancer of the colon and you believe that the diagnosis was delayed due to a physician’s failure to recommend colon cancer screening or failed to follow up on complaints of colon cancer symptoms a cancer lawyer may be help you figure out whether there may be a medical malpractice claim. In certain circumstances a wrongful death lawyer may be able to help the family.The above should not be considered medical advice. You should always consult with a doctor regarding any medical issues and before taking any medical advice.
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