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Failure to Diagnose Cancer

Unnecessary Cancer Tests IdentifiedPosted on 4/19/2012
Could What Happened to a NY Breast Cancer Victim Happen in Georgia?Posted on 3/2/2012
Young Adult Cancer Death Rate Has Not Fallen as it Has for Other AgesPosted on 1/28/2012
Pediatric Failure to Diagnose Cancer Case to Move ForwardPosted on 1/25/2012
Avoiding Cancer Deaths: UGA Researchers Share Exciting Cancer NewsPosted on 1/16/2012

How Recent Recommendations to Breast and Prostate Cancer Screenings May Impact the Misdiagnosis of Cancer in Atlanta

Recently, the recommended guidelines for breast cancer screening and prostate cancer screenings changed significantly. In late 2009, a federal panel recommended that women start getting routine mammograms at age 50 instead of age 40, and that women in their fifties should get mammograms every other year instead of every year. In 2011, a federal panel recommended against routine testing for prostate cancer for men under age 50 who are at average risk of developing the disease.

What About the Risk of a Cancer Misdiagnosis for People Under 50?

The guideline changes do not change a doctor’s responsibility to make an accurate diagnosis.

Despite the recommended guideline changes, people under 50 are still at risk of developing cancer. A doctor has a responsibility to exercise reasonable care in the diagnosis of a patient and thus should consider a patient’s symptoms, family history and other risk factors when determining whether the patient needs to be screened for cancer.

The failure to conduct a reasonable medical examination and make appropriate recommendations may result in the misdiagnosis of cancer and constitute medical malpractice, just as it did before the federal panels recommended changes to the screening procedures.

If you are under the age of recommended routine cancer screening and you are concerned about your cancer risk, then it is important to talk to your doctor about your concerns and to get the testing that you need to protect your health.

Contact an Atlanta Medical Malpractice Lawyer if You’ve Been Hurt

If your doctor negligently misdiagnosed or failed to diagnose cancer and your disease progressed due to lack of treatment, then you may have the right to recover damages.

Please contact an experienced and compassionate Atlanta cancer misdiagnosis lawyer today at 1.770.518.1133 for a free consultation about your legal rights and potential recovery. We also invite you to read our FREE book: I Have Cancer, Should It Have Been Caught Earlier? for more information.