Suing for a Delayed Skin Cancer Diagnosis

According to the National Cancer Institute, the Melanoma rate in Maryland is higher than the national average. The National Institutes of Health also highlights Maryland’s high cancer rate, specifically pointing to skin cancer as a major concern. With all that said, patients can treat skin cancer effectively if they receive early, accurate diagnoses. What if a doctor failed to diagnose your skin cancer? Can you sue for this type of medical malpractice in Owings Mills?

Why Is Early Treatment So Important for Skin Cancer? 

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, “early treatment saves lives.” As soon as you notice a potential issue on your skin, it’s best to schedule a skin exam with a dermatologist. You may also schedule an appointment with your family doctor. If your family doctor is not sure whether you have developed skin cancer, they should refer you to a specialist for a more accurate diagnosis. When it comes to skin cancer, it always makes sense to play it safe.

There is virtually no excuse for failing to spot skin cancer at an early stage. Unlike many other tumors, skin cancer is one of the few variants visible to the naked eye. A doctor does not need to carry out complicated blood tests or MRIs to determine whether you have skin cancer. Instead, they can simply use their own two eyes and common sense to assess the potential issue.

If skin cancer is not identified and addressed at an early stage, it may “metastasize.” In other words, it may spread to other parts of the body. Skin cancer cells can penetrate deeper into the body with time, potentially causing new tumors to develop beneath the epidermal layer. In some cases, skin cancer has spread to the lymph nodes over time.

Failing to provide early treatment may also increase morbidity risks. A patient is more likely to die from skin cancer if they receive later treatment. In contrast, doctors can cure skin cancer relatively easily if they treat it quickly enough – preventing it from becoming a life-threatening issue.

Can You Sue for a Missed Skin Cancer Diagnosis? 

As long as you can prove that a “reasonable” doctor would have identified and diagnosed your skin cancer at an early stage, you can sue for missed skin cancer. In fact, it may be easier to prove medical malpractice in this situation because skin cancer is such an obvious and visible issue compared to other forms of cancer.

Find an Experienced Missed Diagnosis Layer in Owings Mills 

If you’ve been searching for an experienced Baltimore missed diagnosis lawyer, look no further than Furman | Honick Law. We know how crucial early diagnosis can be for skin cancer patients, and we can help you hold doctors accountable for failing to carry out their duties. If your loved one has passed away due to a preventable form of skin cancer that was not properly diagnosed, we can also help you sue on their behalf. Book your consultation today to learn more about your legal options.

Source:

statecancerprofiles.cancer.gov/quick-profiles/index.php?statename=maryland