The word cancer has been spoken by your doctor. Whether your doctor is suggesting that cancer is a possible diagnosis or is backtracking after a failure to diagnose cancer, that word is significant. Once you hear the word cancer, there are certain things that you should expect to happen next.
Medical Malpractice Failure to Diagnose May Be Prevented if Your Doctor Takes Certain Steps
While each patient is unique and may not require all of the following, you should expect your doctor to discuss the following with you:
- Additional and possibly invasive tests. Your doctor should discuss why he or she suspects cancer and what tests would confirm a diagnosis. Those tests should be scheduled as soon as possible.
- Referral to an oncologist or specialist. If the tests are already back or require a specialist, then your doctor may refer you to an oncologist who will be in charge of your cancer-related medical care.
- A quick follow up appointment to discuss diagnosis and treatment options. Typically, it is important to develop and implement a cancer treatment plan as soon as possible to prevent the disease from spreading.
To learn more about the proper diagnosis of cancer and preventing the misdiagnosis of cancer, please read our book: Cancer: Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment Errors. It is available, free of charge, on our website.
Contact an Atlanta Cancer Malpractice Attorney if You’ve Been the Victim of Medical Malpractice Failure to Diagnose.
Additionally, we invite you to contact one of our experienced Atlanta medical malpractice lawyers at 1.770.518.1133 for a free consultation about your potential case, your legal rights, and your possible recovery.