REPORT WARNS DOCTORS MISS ONE THIRD OF CANCER CASES

According to a recent NHS audit, more than 100,000 people diagnosed with cancer each year were previously ignored by their GP.

According to the survey:

* 36 per cent of cancer sufferers were not referred to hospital when they first consulted their GP; * 20 per cent saw their GP at least three times about symptoms of the disease, before being referred to hospital for tests, * Seven per cent paid at least five visits to their local surgery before action was taken; * More than 300 patients a day are diagnosed with cancer having previously had their symptoms dismissed or misdiagnosed as minor ailments.

Another alarming report has recently been published by the Teenage Cancer Trust. The Charity has revealed that a quarter of young people with cancer visited their GP on at least four occasions before being referred.

What has led to GPs failing to detect the possibility of cancer? Is it poor training? Has it got anything to do with the issue of cost? Whatever the reason, something must be done as British survival rates for cancer is among the worst in Europe. In some cases, a delay in diagnosis can affect a patient’s chance of survival. A delay in treatment may lead to a spread in cancer by which point, the chances of survival are low.

To be successful in a medical negligence claim, a successful Claimant needs to prove that the outcome would have been different had an earlier referral been made. Occasionally, a delay in diagnosis makes no difference to the treatment in respect of recovery. These cases are likely to fail as the delay had no effect on the outcome.

The team at Gregory Abrams Davidson deal with many cases involving the misdiagnosis of cancer and/or delayed diagnosis of cancer. If you or somebody you know has been affected by either the misdiagnosis or delay in diagnosis of cancer, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our dedicated team on 0151 733 3353 or 020 8209 0166. Alternatively, you can email us at [email protected]