Cancer is a well-known threat in the United States, a modern disease that has caused problems for medical professionals for decades. Finding a cure remains a top goal still in 2020, but it has not happened as of yet. This means that many types of cancer are still fatal.
To understand the issue and how it impacts patient care, here are three important facts about the scourge that is cancer:
- Cancer takes more lives in the U.S. than anything other than heart disease.
- A high percentage of cancer, when newly diagnosed, can be both treated and cured.
- It is far easier to cure cancer after an early detection. Understanding the symptoms is crucial. The earlier doctors can begin treatment, the better the outcome for the patient. This is true with all types of cancer.
It is worth noting that some types of cancer can get to an advanced stage before symptoms show up, but that just means it’s even more important to act quickly when they do. It’s also important for doctors to make a proper diagnosis and to not overlook any symptoms or signs of cancer. If doctors overlook any red flags and tell a patient they have nothing to worry about, the cancer could then progress so far that it is not curable even when it is finally correctly diagnosed.
Has this happened to you? Or, have you lost a loved one due to a doctor’s delayed cancer diagnosis? If so, it is crucial to know what legal rights you have. You may be able to seek compensation in a medical malpractice lawsuit.