Diagnosing breast cancer during pregnancy or shortly thereafter may be more challenging than usual. Many women who are pregnant, have just given birth, or are breastfeeding experience swollen and tender breasts. However, these changes do not make a breast cancer diagnosis impossible. A doctor must still use reasonable care so that a failure to diagnose breast cancer during pregnancy does not occur. Read more to learn what you may expect of your doctor and when you might need to contact an experienced Atlanta breast cancer lawyer.

3 Ways Your Doctor May Prevent a Failure to Diagnose Breast Cancer
 
Generally, the National Cancer Institute recommends that:

1. Patients and doctors be aware of the typical symptoms of breast cancer and consider the possibility of cancer even if more common pregnancy, postpartum, or breastfeeding issues are the likely cause of the symptoms.
2. Doctors screen for breast cancer at prenatal and postnatal appointments.
3. Doctors request appropriate diagnostic tests if cancer is suspected. Ultrasounds, mammograms and biopsies may be appropriate during pregnancy or while a woman is breastfeeding.

Treatment options vary more than diagnostic options and depend greatly on the stage of the cancer, the age of the fetus or child, and input from the patient.
 
Contact an Atlanta Breast Cancer Lawyer if You’ve Been Misdiagnosed
 
If you believe that your doctor failed to diagnose breast cancer during your pregnancy and that you suffered harm as a result, then it is important to contact an experienced Atlanta breast cancer attorney at 1.770.518.1133 as soon as possible.

The Atlanta cancer malpractice lawyers at the Dover Law Firm also encourage you to learn more about breast cancer diagnoses and treatments in our book, Breast Cancer: the Risks, the Signs, Diagnosis and Treatment, which is available for FREE on our website.