Bowel Cancer Misdiagnosis Claims
Misdiagnosis of bowel cancer claim
Over 2,500 Irish people are diagnosed with Bowel Cancer each year and it occurs in both men and in woman.
BowelScreen.ie offers home test kits to women and men aged 60 to 69 every two years. The aim of BowelScreen.ie is to reduce the number of deaths by diagnosing the cancer early. Bowel cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in Ireland. With such an aggressive cancer, early detection is the key to early recovery.
Late Diagnosis of Bowel Cancer
Early warning symptoms of bowel cancer resemble several other conditions. If cancer is misdiagnosed as another condition, wrong treatment could cause serious health effects. This also gives undetected bowel cancer the chance to spread to other organs. Early detection gives the best chance of recovery.
Medical staff receive training to recognise the early warning symptoms of bowel cancer. Despite this, mistakes are made. Mistakes include failure to:
- Recognise the early warning symptoms
- Refer the patient to a specialist
- Perform a biopsy
- Incorrect reading of colonoscopy
Wexford General Hospital Under Investigation
Wexford General Hospital
In Wexford General Hospital, over 600 patients were recalled for repeat colonoscopy due to concerns over incorrect reading of colonoscopy. It is reported that 13 cases of bowel cancer were missed. If you have been affected by this, please read our article dealing with the failings at Wexford General Hospital here.
Symptoms of bowel cancer
The symptoms of bowel cancer can include:
- A change in your normal bowel motion
- Pain or discomfort in your abdomen or back passage
- Trapped wind or fullness in your tummy
- Unexplained Weight loss
- Rectal bleeding or blood in stools
If symptoms of bowel cancer are present, your doctor should refer you for the relevant tests. This gives you the chance of having your condition diagnosed as soon as possible.
Consequence of Late or Misdiagnosed Bowel Cancer
We have acted in medical negligence actions for patients where diagnosis of cancer was not made at the earliest opportunity. As a result of a delay in diagnosis additional treatment may be required such as:
- more invasive surgery
- radiotherapy
- additional chemotherapy
Claiming on Behalf of a Loved One
If a loved one has died because of a delay in the diagnosis of cancer, we can guide you through the legal process to:
- provide representation at Coroner’s Inquest
- recover compensation for your loved one’s pain and suffering
- recover compensation for financial losses due to your loved one’s death.
If you or your loved one has suffered as a result of missed diagnosis of bowel cancer, or any other cancer, please visit our Contact Us page or speak with Melanie Power on 061 513 055
Melanie Power Medical Negligence Solicitor
