Nikki Yavari
April 2019 is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month.
Bowel cancer is cancer of the colon or rectum. It can occur at any age, but more frequently it is people over 60 who are affected.
The symptoms of bowel cancer can include abdominal pain, bloating, blood in stools, anaemia and a change in bowel habit.
Early diagnosis of bowel cancer can mean less aggressive treatment
Some people suffer other symptoms such as weight loss and tiredness and some may notice pain in the back passage or in their abdomen. There may well be other, benign conditions that can result in the same symptoms, of course, such as irritable bowel syndrome or haemorrhoids. However, it is recommended that anyone suffering from any of these symptoms should see their GP.
Whilst bowel cancer is often treatable, the type of treatment given will depend on what stage the cancer is at when it is diagnosed. It is usually treated with surgery, either keyhole or open, with or without chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, but patients should be consulted and have a choice about the type of treatment they receive.
Earlier diagnosis can lead to less aggressive treatment, whilst a delay in diagnosis can mean that the cancer is more difficult to treat.
Compensation claim for delayed diagnosis of bowel cancer
If there is a delay in the diagnosis of bowel cancer, and that delay is caused by substandard medical care, it may be possible to make a medical negligence compensation claim. Medical negligence solicitor, Nikki Yavari, has dealt with a number of such cases, some of which have involved a GP’s failure to investigate symptoms or failure to refer the patient for further investigations. In other cases, hospitals have failed to adequately investigate the cause of symptoms or have missed a tumour that should have been identified on radiological imaging.
If you believe that you have suffered a delay in diagnosis of bowel cancer as a result of substandard care from your GP or treating clinicians, we may be able to help you to claim compensation. Contact us now and we will arrange a free of charge meeting in which we can discuss your case in confidence
Further information about bowel cancer can be found at:
Failure to diagnose or misdiagnosis of cancer
Bowel cancer and its treatment
Author: Nikki Yavari, medical negligence solicitor
