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New York Cancer Diagnose Failure Lawyer
In the United States, breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women and is the second leading cause of death for all women. Unfortunately, many women in New York are misdiagnosed or diagnosed too late when physicians fail to recognize symptoms and order the appropriate tests in a timely fashion. When a general practitioner, OBGYN, radiologist or other healthcare professional negligently fails to diagnose a breast lesion early on, it can result in advanced stages of breast cancer, loss of timely treatment options and/or decreased chances of survival.
If your Doctor neglects to inform you of possible cancer or of treatment this constitutes as medical malpractice. Contact a New York Cancer Diagnose Failure Lawyer today to learn about recovering compensation for you injuries incurred.
A New York cancer diagnose failure may include instances of the following:
- failure to diagnose
- misdiagnosis
- late diagnosis and treatment
What is Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer is a cancer of the breast tissue. It is a common cancer in women worldwide and early detection is key. In the United States, it is estimated that 1out of every 9 women will develop breast cancer in their life time.
While breast cancer is a disease that occurs mostly in women, men are also at risk of breast cancer. Many people may not realize that men have breast tissue and that they may develop cancer cells in the breast.
Generally, the breast is made up of lobules, ducts and stroma. In women, lobules are the milk-producing glands of the breast and the ducts are tiny vessels that carry the milk from the lobules to the nipple. Stroma is the fatty and connective tissue that surrounds these ducts and lobules as well as the blood vessels and lymphatic vessels of the breast. Men's breast tissue contain these ducts as well but have fewer lobules. Also, male hormones produced by the testicles prevents further growth of breast tissue. Since women have many more breast cells and experience a higher level of growth-promoting hormone changes than men do, breast cancer is much more prevalent in women.
The spread and size of the cancer is usually documented by using a standard system of letters and numbers in a process called Staging. By staging the cancer, doctors can determine how far the cancer has spread so that appropriate treatment choices can be made. Doctors will also use the stage of cancer to determine its likely course in growth.
For most cancers, the stage is based on three main factors:
- the original tumor's size and whether or not the tumor has grown or spread to other nearby areas
- whether or not the cancer has spread to the nearby lymph nodes
- whether or not the cancer has spread to different areas of the body
Breast Cancer: Risk Factors
Women and men are potentially at risk of developing breast cancer at some point in their lifetime. One of the most common risk factors is age. Those over the age of 50 are at an increased risk for breast cancer. A history of cancer in the breast or a family history of breast cancer may also be a sign of higher risk.
Extended exposure to estrogen, late childbearing, exposure to radiation therapy and alcohol have also been linked to increasing the chance of breast cancer in women.
Breast Cancer: Common Symptoms
The breast may show certain changes if there is cancerous growth. The most common symptoms of breast cancer include:
- a lump or thickening in or near the breast or in the underarm area
- a change in the size or shape of the breast
- nipple discharge or tenderness, or the nipple pulled back (inverted) into the breast
- ridges or pitting of the breast (the skin looks like the skin of an orange)
- a change in the way the skin of the breast, areola, or nipple looks or feels (for example, warm, swollen, red, or scaly)
Breast Cancer: Screening and Diagnosis
Early detection is key and it is important to be screened for breast cancer by testing for abnormal tissue or cancerous developments even if symptoms are absent.
Usually, the two primary methods for screening for breast cancer are physical breast examinations and mammograms. Doctors encourage women aged 20 and older to perform breast self-examinations every month and have clinical breast examinations at least once every three years, though more regularly is preferred. Women over 40 years old should have an annual screening mammogram (see mammography) alongside their breast examination by a certified health care professional.
If a woman shows any symptoms of breast cancer, or abnormal results from a mammography or clinical breast exam, a physician should do a complete round of tests to determine whether cancer cells are present, how much cancer is present and how far the cancerous cells have spread. By making these determinations, the doctor can appropriately diagnose the cancer as well as its stage and recommended treatment.
Negligence and Misdiagnosis of Breast Cancer
At any sign or presence of abnormal breast symptoms, a doctor should perform the appropriate tests to determine whether a patient is at risk for breast cancer. However, the following may be instances of negligence when a doctor fails to properly diagnose or treat a patient for breast cancer:
- Failing to perform a breast examination which would have identified a tumor
- Failing to identify a palpable lump during a breast examination
- Mistaking a tumor for a breast infection
- Failing to refer to a breast surgeon
- Mistaking a tumor as benign and failing to recommend biopsy or removal
- Disregarding history of symptoms such as sharp pain in breast
- Disregarding signs of retraction
- Failing to determine the cause of nipple discharge
- Relying upon negative aspiration biopsy
- Relying upon mammography in lieu of physical breast examination
- Failing to order a mammogram
- Misinterpreting a mammogram
- Failing to react to mammogram findings
- Failing to order a biopsy
- Failing to order ultrasound when indicated
- Failing to follow up with the patient
What should be done if Breast Cancer was improperly diagnosed or insufficiently treated by a healthcare professional?
If you, a family member or a friend were improperly diagnosed or treated for Breast Cancer due to the negligence of a hospital, doctor, or medical facility, please contact a New York Cancer Diagnose Failure Lawyer at Finz & Finz, P.C. today at (888) FINZ-FIRM to speak with a New York Cancer Diagnose Failure Lawyer now or fill out the Free Case Evaluation form to the right of this page.
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