Cancer treatment delayed

When cancer treatment is delayed, the consequences for patients can be extremely severe, whether they involve prolonged pain or further spreading of the disease. As such, in cases where medical practitioners have caused unwarranted delays to treatment, and the patient’s health has consequently been negatively affected, there may be sufficient reason to make a medical negligence claim.

If you have suffered from worsened health due to delays in your cancer treatment, you should not have to face these complications without consequences for the doctors who have neglected to progress your treatment. We all know that the NHS has been under strain for several years and has been under increased pressure due to the coronavirus pandemic and resource restraints. However, this does not mean cancer treatment can be pushed to one side without repercussions.

Cancer treatment delayed by coronavirus

As current statistics stand, 1 in 2 people will apparently be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, making it one of the most pervasive medical conditions in the UK. Although cancer demands high-quality treatment to manage a patient’s condition, this necessity seemed to have somewhat faded into the background during the UK coronavirus outbreak. Cancer Research UK released a report stating that, at the point of June 2020, over 2 million people were reportedly waiting for cancer screenings, tests and treatment.

Though Covid-19 is no excuse for vital cancer treatment being delayed, it at least partially explains why the delays have occurred. However, before the coronavirus pandemic, some patients had cancer treatment delayed without explanation. There have been stories of patients who had their cancer diagnosis delayed for over a year, resulting in further surgery and more invasive treatment as a matter of urgency. Such delayed responses to patients’ symptoms mean some now experience prolonged pain and difficulties on a regular basis.

Making a medical negligence claim for cancer treatment

With cancer treatment delayed by months for many patients, it is important to highlight that patients have every right to respond to any slow uptake by taking legal action. If a link can be made between your worsening condition and the negligence of a medical professional, you may be able to make a compensation claim for the harm caused to you.

Medical negligence claims can be made for a variety of other reasons, such as incorrect diagnoses, or mistakes during operations, and errors that may also arise during cancer treatment. In each claim, clients could be entitled to recover money for any pain and suffering caused, as well as for any subsequent losses and expenses. In fact, we may be able to get you private treatment and then recover the costs of this as part of your claim.

Start your claim

When patients have their cancer treatment delayed, the limbo period can be one of great anxiety and uncertainty, which is why we encourage any patients affected by delays to waste no time in contacting us. It is important that we get the ball rolling with your claim as soon as possible to take action against delayed treatment.

To receive free, no-obligation advice on your potential claim, simply contact us today or sign up for help now.