Why do doctors fail to diagnose cancer?

With a disease as serious as cancer, you would think that all medical professionals would do whatever it takes to diagnose this potentially deadly disease as soon as possible.

Despite the fact that doctors are aware of the seriousness of a cancer diagnosis, they often overlook telltale signs that this is the problem. And for that reason, the patient doesn’t receive the care they need.

There are a variety of reasons why doctors may fail to diagnose cancer, including but not limited to:

• Negligence: For example, after examination they assume that you’re dealing with nothing more than a minor illness. They neglect to run more tests, such as lab work, and assume that you’ll recover on your own. This sort of negligence has the potential to result in a delayed diagnosis, especially if you don’t seek a second opinion.
• Misdiagnosis: Cancer is a serious disease that shares symptoms with a variety of less severe ailments. For example, if you’re experiencing ongoing stomach pain, your doctor may diagnose you with acid reflux disease or an ulcer. As they provide treatment for the wrong ailment, the cancer is given time to progress.
• Lack of knowledge and experience: Just because someone has the credentials to provide medical care doesn’t necessarily mean that they have the knowledge and experience needed to make an accurate diagnosis. This is why it’s so important to carefully choose your doctor, especially if you think you may have a serious problem.

What to do after a delayed cancer diagnosis

If you’ve come to find that your doctor didn’t diagnose your cancer in a timely manner, the first thing you should do is talk to them about your concerns. At the same time, seek a second opinion from a more qualified professional.

Even though your diagnosis was delayed, there’s still treatment available. You want to get started as soon as possible.

As time allows during your treatment, learn more about the reason for the failed diagnosis and what you can do to protect your legal rights. You may be in position to take legal action against your former medical professional.