When cancer is diagnosed too late

When cancer is diagnosed too late, the impact for the patient can be absolutely devastating. That’s why it’s important for us to address this topic as specialist medical negligence lawyers.

The chances of surviving cancer, in many cases, can be hugely increased by being diagnosed and treated early. If there are any delays in the process, this could be the difference between life and death, and it’s shortages in skilled staff that can lead to this happening. There also needs to be a clear plan for the future, where population numbers will increase, and services need to expand to meet the greater demand.

Patients who are affected by late diagnosis or late treatment issues can be entitled to some form of justice by making a claim for personal injury compensation.

If cancer is diagnosed too late…

There are times when cancer is diagnosed too late, and it can happen for many reasons. It can happen due to mistakes made by healthcare professionals, where signs and symptoms are missed or misunderstood. It can happen when a misdiagnosis is made, and the cancer is then treated as something else. In both scenarios, the actual treatment needed can end up delayed, and patients can suffer.

When patients suffer, they can be entitled to make a claim for medical negligence compensation. If we think that there’s a valid legal case to make, we can offer to represent you on a No Win, No Fee basis.

When it comes to something as serious as cancer, the right legal advice and help is essential. The suffering that people can claim for must account for any permanent problems, and damages for both the suffering and for financial losses and expenses can be claimable.

Is cancer being diagnosed too late a lot?

It’s possible that cancer is diagnosed too late at any time. However, right now, the issue of cancer care in the NHS has been in the media a lot.

Cancer Research reportedly investigated the issues last year and suggested that an estimated 115,000 people may have been diagnosed at later stages. Part of the reason for this may have been down to NHS staff shortages.

In some cases, being diagnosed too late can mean that there’s nothing that can be done. Put simply, that’s a life lost as a direct result of staff shortages, which should never happen. The more time that cancer can be allowed to spread, the more long-term damage – or permanent damage – there may be. The struggle for the NHS to meet targets is a real problem, and patients do suffer from delayed diagnosis and treatment.

There’s also something of a reluctance in the UK for people to go to the doctors with certain signs and symptoms. It’s believed that a part of this may be due to worries over how stretched the NHS is, and it may be the case that some patients are contributing to their delayed diagnosis as well.

Advice and help

Anyone who has suffered when cancer is diagnosed too late could be entitled to make a claim for personal injury compensation on a No Win, No Fee basis.

You can speak to our team today for free, no-obligation advice by calling us on 0800 634 75 75. We’re normally open from 9am until 10pm on most weekdays, and 9am to 5pm on most weekends.