It is estimated that less than one percent people diagnosed with colon cancer are younger than 35. Yet, because of the fact that colon cancer can kill doctors usually agree that the presence of rectal bleeding, even in an individual below thirty-five, needs to be investigated by a colonoscopy to determine the source of the bleeding Merely assuming that the blood is from hemorrhoids does not meet the standard of care.
Take, for example, what happened in a documented case regarding a woman who told her family doctor that she had blood in her stool and felt pain when having bowel movements. She was only twenty four years old. The doctor, justwithout even performing an examination, told her to take a laxative after deciding that she had diarrhea and other bowel problems. The woman went back after 4 months claiming she had constipation, pain and problems sitting. On this occasion the physician finally examined her yet told her she had hemorrhoids. The doctor recommended an enema. The woman saw that physician on two additional occasions and every time was told her symptoms were due to hemorrhoids and she had nothing to worry about.
The woman had to be hurried to an emergency room because of severe pain 7 months subsequent to her initial visit to her primary care physician. They scheduled a colonoscopy through which she was diagnosed with advanced colorectal cancer. She had surgery (which because of the advanced nature of the cancer included not just removal of a portion of her colon, it also required removal of her uterus and part of the lower intestines). This was followed by chemotherapy. The woman eventually had a recurrence and passed away from the cancer less than 3 years after. She was survived by her husband and daughter, a minor.
The law firm that represented the family reported that the case went to trail and the jury come back with a verdict of $2.5 million. The award included $350,000 the most allowed for pain and suffering under the law of the State where the physician practices. The remainder of the award was for future lost wages. This lawsuit is just one example of what could be the most prevalent medical error concerning the delayed diagnosis of colon cancer.
Far too often physicians do not do a colonoscopy or send the person to a specialist when a person complains of rectal bleeding or blood in the stool. Rather, these physicians merely assume that the symptom is due to hemorrhoids. This is especially common when the individual is under fifty years old.
When a situation like that above occurs and the individual dies because the cancer spread due to the delay in diagnosis the surviving family may be able to bring a case against the doctor who caused the delay.
Author Resource:-
Joseph Hernandez is an Attorney accepting medical malpractice cases and wrongful death cases. You can learn more about cases involving metastatic colon cancer and how a cancer lawyer can assist you by visiting the website
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