I will always remember the day I received the news I had cancer. As a lawyer I had handled claims involving the delayed diagnosis of cancer and yet even this experience had not prepared me for listening to those words applied to me. By having worked as a delayed diagnosis of cancer attorney and knew the symptoms of a number of different kinds of cancers, including colon cancer I did not wait when I started to have symptoms myself. I consulted with my family doctor who advised that despite the fact that I was too young for regular screening for colon cancer and although I did not have anyone in my family with colon cancer colon cancer (at the time) that I ought to nonetheless get a colonoscopy to rule out cancer as the cause of my symptoms.
The colonoscopy found that I had a substantial cancerous tumor in my colon. Surgery verified that it had by then started spreading. The cancer was stage 3 colon cancer. Bad news. The one good part of this was that it was not stage 4 colon cancer. Still it was nonetheless metastatic colon cancer that had spread to my lymph nodes. And I had an instant of true fear and uncertainty when I was given the news. I understood that my chances of long term survival were just about fifty percent. Regardless of the fact that I was an attorney who had handled medical malpractice lawsuits, even lawsuits concerning colon cancer, did not help me to avoid that instant of genuine anxiety and terror. I still thought I was going to die.
Even though I required a few weeks to recuperate after surgery and while there were times while undergoing chemotherapy when I needed to just rest, I was, generally, able to keep working. This gave me immense pleasure. I felt that I was able to carry my weight and lead more or less a regular life throughout my treatment. Seven years after my treatment I exhibit no evidence of cancer. If I had waited even just a number of months the cancer could have spread further and I most likely would not have survived.
I now have regular follow up to make sure the cancer has not come back. Further, I get yearly screening for prostate cancer. If a physician does not discuss cancer screening or does not react to a patient’s cancer symptoms and the patient is ultimately diagnosed with cancer that doctor may be risk a claim of medical negligence
Clearly, when you have symptoms that could be caused by colon cancer undergoing the right test immediately might save your life. To allow oneself the maximum treatment options and the best chance of beating the cancer is to detect and treat it early.
If a physician fails to make a suitable referral or order proper tests when the patient has complaints of symptoms (especially blood in the stool) and the person eventually passes away as a consequence of the cancer, then a wrongful death attorney might be able to help the loved ones.
The above is simply basic information that is easily obtainable and is intended for basic educational purposes only. The above does not constitute medical advice. Talk to with a doctor if you have any health related issues and prior to taking any medical advice. The above is also not legal advice. Check with an attorney with regards to any potential legal concerns.