Delay In Prostate Cancer Diagnosis

Doctors generally use a blood test, called the PSA test, to screen men with no symptoms for cancer of the prostate.  Most doctors agree that high PSA levels trigger a need to inform the patient about the possibility of cancer and to either refer the patient to a specialist or order diagnostic testing to rule out prostate cancer.  Yet, delayed diagnosis of prostate cancer cases are all too common. 

Consider the following reported cases.  In the first reported case, a physician waited two years after consecutive abnormal PSA test results prior to telling his patient that he might have cancer.  By the time the man was diagnosed the result was that he had advanced prostate cancer.  The law firm that handled this case reported they were able to settle the matter for $600,000 on behalf of the patient.  In the second reported case, a physician waited sixteen months, with 3 consecutive high PSA readings, prior to letting the patient know, a sixty-four year old man.  Before that the physician had actually told the male patient that the results were normal for a man his age.  The result: the cancer had already reached the man’s seminal vesicles. The law firm that handled this matter was able to report a settlement of $1.5 million on the patient’s behalf. 

As these two claims show, if a doctor fails to follow up on an abnormal cancer screening test result and the patient’s cancer spreads during the delay caused by the physician, a cancer lawyer can help you determine whether that doctor is liable for malpractice.  In the worst case situation, a wrongful death attorney can assist the patient’s family find out if they may have a wrongful death claim.  The above should not be considered medical or legal advice.  You should always consult with a doctor before taking medical advice or making a medical decision.  And always consult with an attorney concerning any potential legal matter.