Wrongful Death And Metastatic Colon Cancer

Each year over one hundred forty eight thousand men and women are diagnosed with colon cancer. Each year more than fifty five thousand individuals die from the disease. Colon cancer deaths are the result of the spread of the cancer.If diagnosed early cancer of the colon has a high cure rate. When the diagnosis comes early enough the cancer can be removed during a colonoscopy while it is still a mere polyp.

Even though there have been many attempts to educate people regarding colon cancer screening many people still do not undergo screening procedures, such as a colonoscopy. Sometimes people refuse to undergo the procedure when their doctor recommends it. Yet there are still cases of physicians who do not refer their patients for screening. This sometimes happens even though the patient complains of symptoms. Even though they do not do any testing, these physicians sometimes assure their patients that their symptoms are merely due to hemorrhoids.

Should the physicians do this and the patient is later diagnosed with metastatic colon cancer that physicians may be liable for medical malpractice. Yet, each year approximately 37 percent (or roughly 54,750 people) already have advanced cancer of the colon by the time they are diagnosed. Further 19 percent (roughly 28,000 people) are already at stage 4 of the disease by the time they are diagnosed. A diagnosis of metastatic colon cancer means a much reduced five year survival rate.

If you or a member of your family have been diagnosed with advanced colon cancer and you believe that the diagnosis was delayed due to a physician’s failure to recommend colon cancer screening or failure to follow up on complaints of colon cancer symptoms a cancer attorney can help you figure out if there may be a medical malpractice claim. In certain circumstances a wrongful death lawyer may be able to help the family.The above should not be considered medical advice. You should always consult with a doctor regarding any medical issues and before taking any medical advice.