Colorectal Cancer Misdiagnosis: Know Your Legal Options
You may have read news stories or heard about the rise in colon cancer and rectal cancer in adults younger than 50. With regular colonoscopies and attentive medical care, early-onset colorectal cancer can be diagnosed and treated.
Sadly, there are cases in which doctors fail to diagnose colorectal cancer despite evident symptoms and warning signs.
Our skilled medical malpractice attorneys in Lakeland, Bartow, and Tampa, FL, would like to discuss these kinds of cases in more detail and how we can help.
The Rise of Colorectal Cancer in Younger Adults
According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), rates of colon and rectal cancer have been rising for adults younger than 50 since the 1990s. This isn’t just an American phenomenon. The NCI notes that a trend in early-onset colorectal cancer has also been recorded in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and parts of Europe and Asia.
The Exact Causes Are Still Unknown
The exact causes of this increased diagnosis of colorectal cancer are unclear.
Researchers speculate that higher rates of colon and rectal cancer in younger adults could be linked to obesity, poor diet, issues with the gut microbiome, environmental pollution, the prevalence of microplastics, and the use of pesticides.
Why Doctors Fail to Diagnose Colorectal Cancer
Since early-onset colorectal cancer is still relatively rare among adults under 50, doctors may incorrectly assume the patient is experiencing symptoms of another less serious gastrointestinal condition or problem with the digestive tract.
In addition, sometimes doctors run tests or perform colonoscopies but fail to notice clear warning signs of cancer, such as growths.
Other Health Issues Doctors Diagnose Instead of Colorectal Cancer
When a doctor misdiagnoses colon or rectal cancer, they may instead state that the patient is suffering from irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulitis, or hemorrhoids.
When to Seek a Second Opinion
If you suffer from serious stomach pains, bloody stools, and other concerning symptoms consistent with colorectal cancer, it’s a good idea to seek a second opinion from another doctor. As with any type of serious illness, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Early detection is your best chance for beating cancer.
This second opinion can also be used as evidence if you seek legal action against the doctor who failed to diagnose your cancer.
How Our Medical Malpractice Lawyers Can Help You
The legal team at Moody Law offers free initial consultations. This allows you to gain insight from a skilled lawyer who has worked on medical malpractice cases in the past. Our law firm also works on a contingency fee basis, meaning you do not have to pay any legal fees unless we can successfully settle your case or win damages in court.
Our goal is to ensure you receive compensation to cover the cost of medical care and the hardships associated with a cancer misdiagnosis. We also want to ensure similar preventable diagnosis mistakes do not happen to others in the future.
Contact Our Team of Attorneys About Your Case
If you or a loved one needs to speak with a medical malpractice lawyer about cancer misdiagnosis, contact our personal injury law offices in Lakeland, Bartow, and Tampa. During a free consultation, our attorneys can help you understand the steps you need to take next.
