Century Designs

Every year more than one hundred forty eight thousand people are diagnosed with cancer of the colon. Each year over 55,000 men and women die from the disease. When it is detected early colon cancer has a high cure rate. If caught early enough the cancer is simply removed during a colonoscopy while it is still a mere polyp.

Even though there have been many attempts to educate people concerning colon cancer screening many people still do not undergo screening procedures, such as a colonoscopy. Some people refuse to undergo the procedure when their physician recommends it. Yet there are still times when doctors who do not recommend colon screening to their patients. This sometimes happens even when the patient shows signs consistent with colon cancer. Without performing any tests, these physicians sometimes tell their patients that the are merely due to hemorrhoids.

Should the physicians do this and the patient is later diagnosed with metastatic colon cancer the patient may have a medical malpractice claim against that physician. Unfortunately, every year approximately 37 percent (or about 54,750 people) are diagnosed with colon cancer that has already spread to at least one of the lymph nodes, and nineteen percent (about twenty eight thousand people) already have distant metastasis 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 metastatic cancer of the colon and you suspect the diagnosis was delayed due to a physician’s failure to recommend colon cancer screening or failed to follow up on sings of colon cancer a cancer attorney can help you determine if there may be a medical malpractice claim. In certain circumstances a medical negligence lawyer may be able to assist 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.