Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women, yet one of the most frequently missed by physicians. As little as a few months can make the difference in successfully treating breast cancer. There are common signs of early stages of breast cancer, including a suspicious mass (or lump), discharge from the nipple and a painful or reddened breast. If these symptoms are interpreted correctly, diagnostic actions like mammograms can be ordered.
Once the mammogram has been taken, it is the responsibility of the physician and the technician to read it correctly. Radiologists have been known to miss masses, areas of calcification and other abnormalities on mammograms that are suggestive of malignancy. Physicians are required to biopsy (take a tissue sample) of any breast lump, even for negative mammograms. If an abnormality shows up on a mammogram, even if no lump is felt, a biopsy can still be taken as a precaution.
Most cancers are treatable and even preventable with early detection. It is the responsibility of treating physician and technicians to provide adequate medical care for their patients, including correctly interpreting symptoms, ordering follow-up tests in a timely manner and correctly reading test results. The failure to take the proper precautions, and to perform each of the procedures correctly, as other medical personnel would have done, is medical malpractice.
Under the statute of limitations, there is a limited amount of time after your incident in which you are able to pursue legal action. Therefore, it is imperative to get prompt legal advice from attorneys who are familiar with medical malpractice, and who have access to a variety of medical experts in such cancer-related fields as oncology, pharmacology and pathology. The Schwartzapfel Partners is highly experienced and knowledgeable in medical malpractice law and is committed to maximizing your legal results.
If you believe that cancer was diagnosed incorrectly or not in a timely manner, or simply need more information, please call us at 800-966-4999 to speak with one of our qualified lawyers.
