If you get diagnosed with melanoma — a dangerous type of skin cancer — you should know that the diagnosis makes it more likely that you will have a second spot. This is why many doctors like to do a full-body exam after they find one suspicious spot.
For instance, one doctor saw a man who had put off treatment for years. He had a clear spot of melanoma, she said, and it was also in a very obvious location on his face.
Once she saw that, she asked him if she could do a more comprehensive check. She then identified a number of high-risk areas, and two of them did turn out to be cancerous after the biopsy.
This story, she said, shows that people still do not have the type of skin cancer awareness that they need despite the best efforts of medical professionals to make them aware. It also shows that having one melanoma increases the risks and means patients and doctors need to be vigilant.
While this example had a happy ending, what if a doctor finds one spot but fails to diagnose another? You know the risks are higher, but what if the doctor neglects to do a full-body exam? Is that really the level of care that you deserve, or has your doctor neglected to take the necessary steps to keep you in good health?
If you think that your doctor has made a critical error or missed clear signs that you have cancer, allowing your condition to worsen, be sure you know what legal options you have.