Cervical cancer misdiagnosis claims

Making a Cervical Cancer Compensation Claim

Any instance where a medical professional responsible for your care has failed to diagnose or provide suitable treatment for cervical cancer could qualify as medical negligence and mean you are able to make a compensation claim. However, for your claim to be successful, you will need advice and guidance from a specialist medical negligence solicitor.

Where this misdiagnosis can be shown to have worsened your condition or lessened your prospects for a successful recovery, this will be taken into account and will likely affect how much compensation you can claim for. Likewise, where improper treatment produces adverse effects on your health, this will influence if and how much you are able to claim.

Some of the more common instances where negligence on the part of medical professionals can entitle you to cervical cancer compensation include the following:

• Where your GP fails to perform adequate examination or investigation of symptoms that may be associated with cervical cancer.
• Where your GP fails to refer you to a specialist for more testing when he or she finds potential indications of cervical cancer.
• Where potentially problematic test results are not thoroughly investigated or followed up.
• Where your medical examination results are improperly recorded, reported or interpreted.
• Where a doctor misdiagnoses your cervical cancer as another condition entirely.
• When following surgery to address cervical cancer, cancerous cells or tissues are allowed to remain leading to subsequent return / spreading of your condition.
• Where the improper means of treating your cervical cancer is used – for example where a hysterectomy is performed when a less drastic option was still viable, rendering you unable to have children.
• Where treatment is poorly or inaccurately administered leading to damage to surrounding organs or tissues, for instance in the case of surgical error.

This is not an exhaustive list, and there may be more situations where poor care on the part of medical professionals could entitle you to make a cancer misdiagnosis claim. If you feel that the care you received fell below an acceptable standard, it is important that you speak to a qualified legal expert as soon as possible to discuss the options available to you.

Specialist cancer misdiagnosis solicitors

Blackwater Law can offer some of the very best advice and support available in the South East, and are independently recognised for doing so by the Legal 500. Our team of expert medical negligence solicitors have a wealth of knowledge and experience in dealing with cervical cancer compensation claims, and when you claim with us you can be assured that we will fight to secure you the maximum compensation amount possible, given the circumstances of your misdiagnosis claim.

When you claim compensation with our help, you will be advised by a specialist lawyer on a no win, no fee basis.

Diagnosis of Cervical Cancer

The diagnostic process for cervical cancer is something all GPs and relevant specialists should be well versed in. A number of steps should be followed so as to reduce the potential for misdiagnosis or for substandard care.

If you suspect you are suffering from cervical cancer you should contact your GP immediately and explain your symptoms. If he or she is concerned that you may indeed be showing signs of the condition you will be sent for a smear test. The findings of this test will determine whether or not your symptoms warrant further investigation by a hospital-based specialist.

Should this be the case, you will be sent to a specialist gynaecologist who will examine the cells of your cervix in fine detail to determine if you have cervical cancer. They may use any number of tests known to include the following:

• Colposcopy: This is an internal examination of the vagina using a microscope on the end of a small tube, featuring a light for visibility. If any suspicious signs are identified your gynaecologist may also remove a tissue sample for testing.
• Cone Biopsy: Where a Colposcopy proves ineffective, this invasive surgery will remove a small cone-shaped section of the cervix for further examination. It is normally performed under general anaesthetic and significant bleeding or pain may occur for a number of weeks thereafter.
• Pelvic Examinations or Blood Tests.
• A number of scans may be taken to build up a picture of your cervix for doctors to examine, including Computer Tomography (CT) Scans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Scans or Positive Emission Tomography (PET) Scans.
• X –Rays may be taken for a similar purpose.

At each and every stage of the process doctors should take great care and attention to detail, as missing even the smallest sign, or the slightest misinterpretation of a test result could contribute to a cervical cancer misdiagnosis.

Causes of Cervical Cancer

The vast majority of all cervical cancer cases are thought to be caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV); a highly common infection which is transmitted through sexual contact. Whilst there are more than 100 different strains of the virus only HPV 16 and HPV 18 are known to cause cervical cancer, but together they are responsible for an estimated 70% of the total number. To make matters worse, they produce no symptoms, which can make it hard for the patient to detect.

Not all women who contract these strains of HPV will contract cervical cancer, and transmission can be inhibited through the use of a condom, although sexual contact between the sexually operative regions as a whole can still spread the disease.

Other potential causes for cervical cancer include the following:

• Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia: this is the development of pre-cancerous cells in the cervix, and whilst it may take years before the condition progresses, it is something that should be monitored.
• Smoking is thought to approximately double your chances of contracting cancer.
• Taking the contraceptive pill for periods in excess of 5 years continuously can also double your chances of contracting cervical cancer.
• Research also indicates that having children can also increase your risks of cervical cancer, with each subsequent child elevating your risk further.

Whether you know you want to claim, or you would just like more information about whether or not our can, speak to one of our specialists lawyers.