It may be surprising to learn that many cancers are hard to detect, especially during their early stages when treatment is most beneficial. Notoriously elusive forms of cancer are:
- Breast cancer
- Liver cancer
- Brain cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Some lung cancers
- Pancreatic cancer
Even worse, some cancers mimic other, more benign ailments. For example, medical professionals often mistake breast cancer for a harmless tumor or inflammatory condition. Meanwhile, patients who do have other, less dangerous illnesses, may be incorrectly diagnosed with cancer. Both situations are a problem.
Receiving cancer treatment unnecessarily
Chances are, you know that most cancers require an aggressive treatment plan that may include radiation or chemical therapy (chemo). Although these treatments can kill cancer, they also make patients very ill and may even be life-threatening.
Those who undergo unnecessary cancer therapies will most likely be worse off than before the treatment. As a patient harmed by a medical error, you may have grounds for a medical malpractice claim after receiving needless cancer treatments.
Not getting the treatment you need
On the flip side, say your doctor diagnoses you with a relatively minor illness when you really have cancer. Not obtaining the cancer therapies you need can have a detrimental effect on your current condition and your life expectancy.
The sooner you undergo treatment, the better your odds of living a long and healthy life. Diagnosing cancer as something benign is also a medical mistake that may qualify you for a malpractice claim.
Under Iowa injury law, you have only two years to file a medical malpractice claim in most situations. The economic compensation you obtain can help you manage the hardships that may arise after a preventable medical mistake.